Loggers Get Revenge On Pacific With Three-Set Sweep
Box Score
TACOMA, Wash. – Puget Sound got a measure of revenge over a Pacific team that upset them in Forest Grove earlier in the season Friday night, knocking off the Boxers in three sets, 25-13, 25-16, 25-20, in Northwest Conference volleyball action at Memorial Fieldhouse.
The No. 21 ranked Loggers (16-4, 8-4 NWC) did not trail in either the first or second sets, scoring convincing victories in both frames. Puget Sound hit .250 in the opener and finished with a .157 hitting percentage for the match while also coming up with 12 service aces. The Boxers (12-8, 6-5 NWC) did not have more than nine kills in any one set, with the nine coming in the third, while hitting .061 for the match.
Mariah McHolland (So., Renton, Wash.) and
Kelsy Takashima (Sr., Kaunakakai, Hawaii) each had eight kills to lead the Boxers, with McHolland adding four blocks.
Malea Webb (Fr., Spokane, Wash.) added 19 assists and
Haley Bedell (Fr., Bothell, Wash.) contributed eight digs.
Brynn Blickenstaff led Puget Sound with nine kills. Jackie Harvey contributed eight kills and Jaime Ecklund had seven. Erika Greene finished with 29 assists and Juliette Witous added 10 digs.
The Loggers started the opening set by scoring the first five points, three of which came by way of Pacific attack errors. The Boxers came back to within 5-2 before Puget Sound went on another five-point run, buoyed by two kills and a block by Bre Boyce. The Loggers built an 18-6 lead on Stephanie O'Connor's service ace and went on to cruise to the 25-13 win.
Pacific once again found themselves left behind in the second as a run of four straight points, two on O'Connor kills, put the Loggers ahead 8-2. The Boxers came back to within 8-5 on a McHolland kill, but would win just three more points off their own serve the rest of the frame. A late string of six straight points, two by way of Witous service aces and two on Harvey kills, put the Loggers up 22-13 on their way to the 25-16 victory.
The Boxers had their closest game in the third set, holding as much as a two-point lead early. Puget Sound charged back and took a 15-11 lead on a block by Boyce and Blickenstaff. The Boxers rebounded to tie it at 15-15 on a Puget Sound attack error and took a 17-16 lead on a McHolland kill. The Loggers took the lead back for good on a Pacific ball handling error at 19-18, which started a four-point run that sealed the match.
Pacific returns to action at home on Saturday as they host Lewis & Clark. Match time is 7 p.m.
