Boxers Play Loggers Strong In Season Finale
Box Score
FOREST GROVE – Pacific finished off their 2010 season with another strong effort, battling Puget Sound point for point in a three-set loss to the Loggers, 26-24, 25-22, 26-24, in Northwest Conference volleyball action at the Stoller Center.
The Boxers (5-19, 4-12 NWC) had a chance to win every set late, only to be outlasted by the Loggers (17-6, 13-3 NWC). Pacific posted a .205 attack percentage for the match, while Puget Sound posted a very solid .330 percentage.
Kelsy Takashima (Jr., Kaunakakai, Hawaii) led the way for the Boxers with 12 kills and a .611 attack percentage to go along with two blocks. Lychelle Roberts-Kirby (Fr., Kent, Wash.) and Alexa Block (So., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) had nine kills apiece. Danica Thompson (Fr., Sisters, Ore.) added 40 assists and Jade Thompson (So., Marysville, Wash.) contributed 18 digs.
Natalie Monro led Puget Sound with 16 kills and a .467 attack percentage while Brynn Blickenstaff added 15 kills. Erika Greene finished with 43 assists while Kris Sumida, Marrisa Florant and Juliette Witous each had 11 digs.
Puget Sound set the pace early on, building a 13-8 first set lead on a kill by Monro. The Boxers slowly climbed back into the frame and took a 20-18 on a kill by Christiana Chandler (Sr., Wahiawa, Hawaii) and a Loggers' attack error. Chandler made it a 23-20 with her kill before the Loggers tied it at 23-23 on a Pacific attack error. The set was tied again at 24-24 when two Boxers' attack errors gave Puget Sound the 26-24 win.
The second set was close throughout with neither team building more than a four-point lead. Pacific had a narrow 19-18 lead on a Puget Sound attack error, but the Loggers responded by winning the next four points for a 22-19 lead. The Boxers came within 22-21 on a Block kill but would come no closer as Blickenstaff finished things off for the 25-22 Puget Sound victory.
Pacific held a lead through much of the third set, owning a 17-14 advantage after back-to-back attack errors. The Loggers came back to tie it at 17-17 on a Monro kill. The set would be tied six more times, with Takashima hitting her last kill of the night to force the 24-24 deadlock. Jackie Harvey replied with a kill and Greene and Molly Gibson combined for a block to close out the match.
With the loss, Pacific finishes ninth in the NWC. Pacific bid farewell to a pair of seniors at the match: Chandler and Kelsey Carter (Escondido, Calif.).
