Oregon Tech's Krista Galloway adds a kill. (photo by Kelly Caleb)
Northwest Sweeps Past Oregon Tech
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Oregon Tech led early in set 1, but it was all Northwest University the remainder of the match as the Eagles earned a Cascade Collegiate Conference victory sweeping past the Owls 3-0, (25-21, 25-16, 25-16) tonight at Danny Miles Court.
Oregon Tech falls to 10-18 overall and 2-13 in the conference standings, while NU keeps their playoff hopes alive moving to 7-8 in CCC play and 13-11 overall.
Leading 14-9 to open play, Oregon Tech allowed NU 5 of the next 6 points using kills from Ashton Arbuthnot, Olivia Vandlac and Rae Ann Haistings, along with two Owl hitting errors to make it a 15-14 contest. Tech clung to a lead until back-to-back miscues led to a 17-17 tie. Another Haistings kill and ace on the next serve pushed the visitors up 19-17. A NU service error closed Tech’s deficit to 19-18, but that was as close as the Owls would get, as the Eagles took the opener 25-21.
Oregon Tech held a 7-6 lead in set 2 before NU notched 9 of the next 12 points to move up 15-10. A six point run from the Eagles, capped by three-straight service aces, pushed the visitors out to a commanding 21-10 advantage. The Owls would string together four-straight, but too late, as NU outlasted the home team to win 25-16.
The teams stayed close to open set 3 before NU took a three point lead on three occasions, the last at 12-9. A Krista Galloway kill on an overpass tied the set at 14-14, while a NU attack error, after taking over the lead again, tied the contest at 16-16. The Owls, unable to use the momentum swing, fell apart from that point. Three Tech miscues, along with a pair of Vandlac kills gave NU a 21-16 lead before a timeout halted play. The Eagles would then cap off their nine point run with four straight, as Sarah Stoker closed out the match with a kill, 25-16.
Kristen Walters led Tech’s offense with 10 kills to go with 7 digs. Kara Young added 7 spikes with Krista Galloway and Jennifer Saltenberger recording 4 each in the loss tonight. Kayleigh Whelchel and Megan Holland combined for 27 assists and Marie Baumann a team-high 15 digs.
Olivia Vandlac finished with 10 kills to lead the Eagles, followed by 9 kills from Rae Ann Haistings and Sarah Stoker adding 8 in the victory. Ashton Arbuthnot recorded a match-high 28 assists and Heather Shulke 20 digs.
Oregon Tech closes out home action on Saturday versus The Evergreen State College where the Owls will honor seniors Jennifer Saltenberger and Kristen Walters prior to the match.