TACOMA, Wash. – The University of Puget Sound volleyball
team is off to its best start in conference since 2001 with a sweep
of Pacific on Saturday night. The Loggers took the match in
straight sets (25-17, 25-23, 25-17) to improve to 7-1 in NWC play
and stay tied for first place.
The Loggers (12-4, 7-1) are off to the best start in conference
play since the 2001 season when the Loggers opened the NWC season
10-0 and ended in a tie with Whitworth for first place.
Brynn Blickenstaff led the Loggers with eight kills in the night
while Jaime Ecklund contributed seven kills and two blocks, hitting
.303 on the night. Freshmen Jackie Harvey added five.
The Loggers cruised to a first set victory as they held the
Boxers (2-14, 1-7) to a -.200 hitting percentage. The Boxers came
roaring back in the second set, pushing the Loggers to the end.
However, the Loggers snuck away with a 25-23 win to take a 2-0 lead
in the match.
The Loggers came out determined to put the match away in the
third set and cruised to another 25-17 victory. Appropriately
enough, the match ended on a service ace from Jackie Harvey.
The Boxers and Loggers combined for 14 service aces in the match
with eight coming from the Loggers and six from the Boxers.
Stephanie O'Connor, Erika Greene and Harvey each tallied two
aces for the Loggers while Alexa Block tallied two for the
Boxers.
Keahi Braginsky-Ahloo lhad a match-high 10 kills for the Boxers
while Mariah McHolland and Kelsey Takashima each contributed
five.
The Loggers held the Boxers to a .011 hitting percentage in the
match while Puget Sound hit .140 and tallied six blocks.
The Loggers make the trip east next weekend for a match with
Whitman on Saturday and a showdown with Whitworth on Sunday.
