Bearcats Earn Spilt at Cal Lu Fornia Invitational
Willamette will play its home opener on Tuesday, Sept. 9 against Western Oregon University.
(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. ) — Willamette University lost to Augustana College (Ill.) and defeated the University of Redlands on Saturday at the Cal Lu Fornia Invitational.
The Bearcats moved past Redlands, 18-25, 25-19, 25-14, 25-13.
During the tournament, which was hosted by California Lutheran University, the Bearcats went 2-2, while advancing their record to 5-3 on the season. Augustana moved to 6-1 after defeating the Bearcats and won an additional match to end the day at 7-1. Redlands dropped to 0-5 overall.
Willamette lost the first set against Redlands, but rallied for the win. Sarah Fincher (Jr., OH, Reno, NV/Bishop Manogue HS/Southwest Baptist Univ.) registered eight kills and four total blocks for the Bearcats, while Alexa Dowdell (So., MH/OPP, Mililani, HI/Maryknoll HS) added seven kills.
Lindsey Compton (Jr., OH/S, Portola, CA/Portola HS/Univ. of Hartford) provided 18 assists and 16 digs for Willamette. Alexa Becker (Fr., OH, El Dorado Hills, CA/Rider University) supplied six kills and 10 digs. Peyton Wahl (Fr., DS/LIB, Richland, WA/Richland HS) contributed a team-high 17 digs.
Redlands received 10 kills from Ashton Martin, who also earned three block assists. Marisa Gile accumulated nine kills. Courtney Johnson led all players with 30 digs for the Bulldogs, while Ellie McLeod claimed 32 assists.
Willamette excelled at the net on defense. The Bearcats finished with 11.0 team total blocks, as individual players combined for two block solos and 18 block assists. Taylor Lum (So., MH/OH, Honolulu, HI/Maryknoll HS) led the way with six total blocks.
Redlands held a 39-36 advantage in kills, but couldn't overcome 34 attacking errors due in part to WU's success on defense. The Bearcats made just 16 attacking errors.
In the first set, WU held an 11-8 lead, but Redlands tallied the next seven points. A bit later, the Bearcats tied the game 16-16 on a kill by Dowdell, before the Bulldogs went on a 9-2 run to win the set 25-18.
A kill by Fincher and a service ace by Becker gave WU an 11-7 edge in the second set. Redlands got as close as 12-10 on a kill by Martin, but Willamette built the lead to 19-11 with a 7-1 run. The Bearcats took the set 25-19.
Willamette opened the third set with a 10-0 run, including three kills by Fincher. WU remained comfortably in front throughout the set for a 25-14 win.
The Bullodgs used a service ace by Johnson for a 3-0 lead in the fourth set. The Bearcats answered with a 8-1 run, but Redlands pulled within 8-7 and 9-8. The next five points went to the Bearcats and WU pulled away for a 25-13 score to end the match.
Willamette will play its home opener on Tuesday, Sept. 9 against Western Oregon University.
Match time at Cone Field House is set for 7:00 p.m. (PDT).
