Cramer leads Bearcats at Oregon Trail Classic

Salem, OR - Willamette Women's Volleyball dropped their first two matches of the season, losing to Pacific Union College 3-1 (25-17, 21-25, 25-23, 25-18) and Bushnell University 3-0 (29-27, 25-16, 25-23) on the first day of the Oregon Trail Classic.

In the first match of the day, the Bearcats got off to an early lead against the Pioneers but a series of attack errors put them behind 14-8 before eventually falling 25-17 to the Pioneers. Set two started well for Willamette with two consecutive service aces by Leina Chu and a kill by Katey Cramer for the final point in a 25-21 win for the Bearcats.  The home team carried that momentum into set three, taking a 13-8 lead only to have Pacific Union eventually tie the score at 16 and go on to take the set by a 25-23 score.  Willamette started quickly again in set four with another service ace by Chu, but again the Pioneers rallied and closed out the match by winning the fourth set 25-18.

Willamette was led on the day by Katey Cramer (13 kills), Leina Chu (21 assists, 3 service aces, and Dream Takemoto (16 digs).  Olivia Cadien contributed 7 kills, 9 digs, and 3 service aces.

In the second match, the Bearcats and Beacons traded points in a back-and-forth first set that saw Bushnell come out on top 29-27.  Bushnell followed that up by hitting a scorching .517 to take set two 25-16.  The final set saw Willamette take another lead at the midway point, 17-13, but fall in the end by a final score of 25-23.  

The Bearcats were led again by Katey Cramer (11 kills), Leina Chu (17 assists), and Dream Takemoto (16 digs).  Chu and Cadien chipped in with 8 assists each and Cadien added 10 kills.  

The Bearcats return to action on Saturday, August 31st, on the second day of the Oregon Trail Classic when they travel to George Fox University to take on Multnomah University at 12:30 pm, followed by a match against Mary Hardin Baylor at 3:30 pm.