Tech's Kristen Walters adds one of her match-high 11 kills as Evergreen opponents look on. (photo by Kelly Caleb)
Saltenberger, Walters Lead Oregon Tech to Sweep Over Geoducks
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Oregon Tech seniors Jennifer Saltenberger and Kristen Walters, honored prior to tonight’s contest, had a memorable last home match of their collegiate careers, combining for 19 kills to lead the Owls past The Evergreen State College tonight in conference volleyball action 3-0 (25-21, 25-12, 25-17).
Oregon Tech moves to 11-18 overall and 3-13 in CCC play. Evergreen remained winless at 0-16 in conference play.
After a Joelle Swanson kill and ace from Kristen Walters, Tech took a 9-6 lead to open tonight’s match. Evergreen State, however, would notch the next four points and take a 10-9 lead. It would be the only lead the Geoducks would have on the night. Another Swanson spike would tie the set, while kills from Walters, Jennifer Saltenberger and Julie Pfeifer pushed the Owls out to a 17-12 advantage. Evergreen managed to cut their deficit to two points, 22-20, but the Owls used a Kara Young kill, followed by an ace and go to set point, while Pfeifer ended the opener with a kill to win 25-21.
Kills from Young and Walters gave Tech an early 2-0 advantage in set 2, while Walters capped a five point run with a kill to give the Owls a 7-1 lead. The home team moved on to an 18-11 lead, while a six point run got the Owls to set point. Evergreen recorded the next point to make it a 24-12 contest, but a Walters kill put Tech up 2-0 after a 25-12 win in set 2.
Back-to-back Saltenberger kills gave the Owls an early 3-0 lead in set 3 with Tech eventually doubling up the Geoducks by a 12-6 score midway through. Swanson next put down back-to-back spikes, as the Owls moved to a double digit advantage 16-6, keeping the 10 point lead at 21-11. Evergreen pulled to within six points, 23-17, but a Saltenberger kill and ace from Kayleigh Whelchel ended the match with a 25-17 victory.
Kristen Walters finished the evening with a match-high 11 kills, with Jennifer Saltenberger adding 8 in the victory for the Owls. Kara Young followed with 6 kills, while freshman Kara Young and Julie Pfeifer recorded 5 kills apiece. Kayleigh Whelchel and Megan Holland combined for 29 assists with Holland adding 12 digs and Marie Baumann 10.
Cassidy Watkins led the Geoducks with a team-high 10 kills to go with 10 digs, with teammate Brittany Covert coming away with 9 kills in the loss. Merideth Gurr recorded a match-high 20 digs and setters Kameo Dela Cuadra and Hapa Patcho combining for 23 assists.