Women's Volleyball 3/4/2021 12:00:00 AM

Pioneers win season opener

Box Score

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Lewis & Clark Pioneers allowed a combined 30 points in the final two sets to win the season opener over the Linfield Wildcats, 25-21, 28-30, 25-13, 25-17, on Thursday night at Pamplin Sports Center.

Izzy Willis landed 11 kills in her collegiate debut, and Emma Ehlers and Kelsey Parker contributed eight apiece in the win. Willis added four aces to go with two from Parker. Makena Ohlmaier hit .231 with six kills and an ace. Ehlers had six blocks.

Starting libero Kayla Valdez had 13 digs before leaving the game with an injury. Ka'anelaokapu'uwai Pakaki-Pias led the team with 15 digs.

Key Moments

The Pioneers (1-0, 1-0 NWC) capitalized early on Linfield errors to build a 14-7 lead in the opening set. Despite a loss in the second, the margin was never larger than a three-point advantage.

In their collegiate debuts, Lewis & Clark's three freshmen, Katie Shimaura, Kelsie Nakashima and Willis, stepped up throughout all four sets.

"We had three freshmen step in and they did not play like freshmen," Pios head coach Emily Hayes said. "Izzy led us with 11 kills and four aces, we had Katie and Kelsie come in and make impacts on the service line and in the passing pattern.

"The takeaway from tonight was when we had our senior leader Kayla go down. We rallied around her and played lights out, and that's absolutely incredible. We hope with all of our might that she is okay. Our hearts and minds are with Kayla tonight."

Deeper Look

Sydney Richardson replaced Valdez at libero and finished with five digs
Michelle McGinn had 27 assists and 11 digs to go with four kills and an ace
With six blocks on Thursday, Ehlers has had at least six blocks in five of her last seven games dating back to last season
Raelynn Hammock led Linfield with 16 kills
Lewis & Clark has won the last five meetings against Linfield (0-1, 0-1 NWC)

Looking Ahead

Lewis & Clark travels to Linfield for a match on Friday.

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Players Mentioned

#18 Emma Ehlers: MB/RS; 6' 1"; Sophomore; L/L

#1 Michelle McGinn: S/DS; 5' 4"; Junior; L/L

#9 Kelsie Nakashima: S/DS; 5' 6"; First Year; L/L

#6 Makena Ohlmaier: OH/MB; 5' 9"; Senior; L/L

#10 Ka'anelaokapu'uwai Pakaki-Pias: OH/DS; 5' 11"; Junior; L/L

#13 Kelsey Parker: RS/S; 6' 0"; Junior; L/L

#4 Sydney Richardson: DS/S; 5' 3"; Junior; L/L

#5 Katie Shimaura: DS; 5' 2"; First Year; L/L

#2 Kayla Valdez: DS; 5' 3"; Senior; L/L

#17 Izzy Willis: OH/MB; 6' 0"; First Year; L/L

Players Mentioned

#18 Emma Ehlers
: 6' 1"; Sophomore; L/L
: MB/RS

#1 Michelle McGinn
: 5' 4"; Junior; L/L
: S/DS

#9 Kelsie Nakashima
: 5' 6"; First Year; L/L
: S/DS

#6 Makena Ohlmaier
: 5' 9"; Senior; L/L
: OH/MB

#10 Ka'anelaokapu'uwai Pakaki-Pias
: 5' 11"; Junior; L/L
: OH/DS

#13 Kelsey Parker
: 6' 0"; Junior; L/L
: RS/S

#4 Sydney Richardson
: 5' 3"; Junior; L/L
: DS/S

#5 Katie Shimaura
: 5' 2"; First Year; L/L
: DS

#2 Kayla Valdez
: 5' 3"; Senior; L/L
: DS

#17 Izzy Willis
: 6' 0"; First Year; L/L
: OH/MB