TACOMA, Wash. – There is something magical about Memorial
Fieldhouse for the No. 24 University of Puget Sound volleyball
team. The Loggers (15-4, 11-1) swept (25-21, 25-17, 25-16) visiting
Willamette to extend their set winning streak at home to 12. The
Loggers have not lost a set on their home floor since Sep. 18
against Whitworth.
Saturday was another big blocking night for the Loggers as they
tallied nine team blocks to the Bearcats' (7-14, 3-9) one.
Molly Gibson led the way in that department with six block assists.
The Loggers used their strong presence at the net to limit the
Bearcats to a .008 hitting percentage in the match.
Natalie Monro had a match-high 13 kills as the only Logger to
reach double digits. Molly Blankenship also tallied 10 kills to
lead the Bearcats attack. Jordan Bird collected nine kills while
Brynn Blickenstaff added eight.
A number of long rallies led to a lot of digs for both sides as
Stephanie O'Connor had a match-high 19 digs. Juliette Witous
added 17 digs for the Loggers. A pair of Bearcats also reached
double digits in digs. Blankenship recorded the double-double with
13 digs while Elizabeth Baldin added 11.
The Loggers found themselves in front for most of the match,
taking early leads and holding on to them throughout the sets. The
Loggers held the Bearcats to a -.040 hitting percentage in the
first set to key the 25-21 victory. The Loggers hit only .098 in
the first set. However, the Logger attack grew more efficient,
posting a .324 hitting percentage in the second set and a .205
hitting percentage in the third set.
The Loggers cruised to the sweep as they held the Bearcats under
a .100 hitting percentage in each set.
The Loggers will play their next game at 4 p.m. on the campus of
Pacific Lutheran on Friday due to the Race and Pedagogy Conference
in Memorial Fieldhouse next week. The Loggers will host George
Fox.