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PORTLAND, Ore. – The Lewis & Clark
volleyball team dropped a critical game in the Northwest Conference
standings to the Willamette Bearcats on Friday evening, falling
3-2. The Pioneers breezed through the first set, before the
Bearcats fought back to take the match winning 11-25, 25-21, 25-20,
18-25, 15-11.
With the win the Bearcats improve to 10-12 overall and 7-7 in the
conference, while the Pioneers fall to 12-10 on the season and 8-5
in the NWC. The loss drops the Pioneers to fourth place in the NWC,
while Willamette continues to chase the Pioneers, holding strong in
fifth place.
The Pioneers made quick work of the Bearcats in the first set,
cruising to an easy 25-11 victory. Freshman Jennifer Dowdy led the
way for the Pioneers in the first set, scoring 11 consecutive
points off of serves, helping the Pios put together a .483 hitting
percentage.
Despite falling so quickly in the first set, the Bearcats bounced
back to win the second set 25-21. Willamette carried its momentum
over into the next set, once again taking down the Pios, this time
25-20.
Determined not to go down without a fight, the Pioneers fought
their way through the fourth match, overcoming an early 5-1
deficit. With strong serving from sophomore Margaret Dowling, the
Pioneers came from behind to collect four consecutive points for a
10-7 lead. The Pioneers continued to hound the Bearcats eventually
winning the set 25-18.
The fifth set began as a back and forth battle with both sides
trading points. The Bearcats were able to take an 8-7 lead on a
Pioneer attacking error and never looked back, winning 15-11.
Senior Jessamy Holland led the Pioneers with 15 kills, while
freshman Leia Matsunaga dished out 55 assists.
Molly Blankenship and Jessie McGraw each had 15 kills for the
Bearcats. Brigit Miller ended the match with 41 assists.
The Pioneer return to the court on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m.
when they travel to Pacific for another NWC contest.
