Forest Grove, Ore. –
Katie Shimaura posted a career-high 40 digs, and six Pioneers contributed blocks in a four-set loss to Pacific University.
THE BASICS
Pacific 3, Lewis & Clark 1
(Lewis & Clark 1-15, NWC 0-11)
(Pacific 11-7, NWC 6-5)
HOW IT HAPPENED
A solid defensive effort in the first set helped the Pioneers pick up where they left off last weekend. The team had 26 digs and five blocks against the Boxers to start the match. Lewis & Clark College went down 16-12 before a kill by junior
Izzy Willis started and ended a 4-0 run to tie the set. The other two points in the run were both block assists by
Emma Ehlers and Willis. The opening set was tied again at 22 before a kill by sophomore
Debi Chun and a solo block by sophomore
Annika Traxler gave the Pios the first of three set points. Pacific utilized a 3-0 run to win the set 28-26.
The Pioneers took a 7-5 lead in the second set off a block by seniors
Ashley Kane and Ehlers. A Kane kill stopped the Boxers' 6-2 run to pull Lewis & Clark within two points at 12-10. Pacific then used a 13-1 run to win the second set.
The Pios came out of the break, down 16-9. A block by sophomore
Emily Strand and Ehlers ended a 5-0 run that pulled Lewis & Clark within 16-14. The Boxers went up 20-15, but the Pioneers would not go away. A 10-3 run and a kill by Traxler gave the Pios the third set.
Pacific started the final set on a 5-1 run. Lewis & Clark fought back, and a block by Willis and Ehlers pulled the visitors within two points at 15-13. The Pioneers put up their best defensive numbers in the fourth set as Shimaura had 13 of her digs and the team had five blocks, but the Boxers were too much and won the match on a 10-4 run.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Shimaura led all players in digs for the fourth match in a row. Her 40 blocks are tied for the fourth-most digs by a Pioneer in a match in program history
- Kane had over 20 assists for the third match in a row and finished the night with a career-high eight kills.
- Ehlers tied her career high with nine blocks.
- Willis posted a team-high 10 kills to go along with four blocks and four digs in her return to the lineup.
- Traxler had a career-high in total blocks (six) and solo blocks (two) while tying her career-high in block assists (four).
- The Pioneers' total team blocks of 15 are their best of the season by nine blocks.
WHO'S NEXT
The Pios travel to Tacoma, Wash., for a Saturday match against Pacific Lutheran at 6 pm.