Boxers Can't Keep Momentum In Four Set Loss
Box Score
PORTLAND – After putting together a solid first set, Pacific could not hold on to their momentum as they committed a series of attack errors in the middle sets to allow Lewis & Clark the four-set victory, 22-25, 25-16, 25-12, 29-27, in Northwest Conference volleyball action at the Pamplin Sports Center.
The Boxers (1-9, 0-2 NWC) could not miss in the opener, smashing 15 kills and finishing with a .300 attack percentage. Pacific then hit in negative territory in the middle two frames, committing a total of 17 attack errors in the sets. Pacific held set point in the fourth set at 24-19 before the Pioneers (6-6, 2-0 NWC) roared back to tie the set at 24-24 and outlast the Boxers in extra points.
Kelsy Takashima (Jr., Kaunakakai, Hawaii) led Pacific with 14 kills while Alexa Block (So., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) finished with a double-double of 13 kills and 10 digs. Jade Thompson (So., Marysville, Wash.) registered 27 digs while Danica Thompson (Fr., Sisters, Ore.) had 27 assists and three blocks.
Margaret Dowling paced Lewis & Clark's winning effort with 16 kills and 11 digs, while Katherine Fiedler added 10 kills and three blocks. Leia Matsunaga finished with 38 assists and 20 digs, leading the Pioneers in both categories.
Both teams hit well in an exciting first set, with the Boxers holding the upper hand throughout much of the frame. Block scored two kills in a five-point run that gave Pacific the 14-10 lead before L&C came back to tie it at 17-16 on a Dowling kill. Pacific surged ahead three on a bad set before the Pioneers rallied to go up 21-20 on Fiedler's put away. Pacific regained the lead at 23-22 on another Block kill before back-to-back blocks by Danica Thompson allowed Pacific the 25-22 win.
Pacific never led in the second or third as they found themselves in a hole quickly in both frames. After rushing out to a 3-1 lead in the second set, the Pioneers proceeded to win nine of the next 10 points, three off services aces, for an 11-4 lead. The Boxers would score just three more times off of their own serve before Block served the Boxers to four straight points to bring the deficit within 21-15.
Five straight attack errors in the third set allowed the Pioneers to build an 8-0 advantage right out of the gate. Pacific scored just three times off of their own in the entire set.
The Pioneers opened the fourth set by reeling off six straight points, but the Boxers rallied to take the 14-12 lead thanks to a pair of L&C attack errors and a Danica Thompson kill. Pacific stayed strong, building up to a 24-19 lead on a Takashima kill. The set appeared to have been won before the Pioneers scored five straight point, two off Pacific errors, to tie things are 24-24. The teams traded points until a Pacific attack error and a Dowling kill gave L&C the come-from-behind win.
The Boxers will conclude a seven-match road trip next Friday when they travel to Salem to face Willamette.
