Wolves Surge Late but Fall Short of a Comeback in Great Falls
Paul Starkebaum, Sports Information Director
Great Falls, Mont. – The volleyball team opened their 2017 campaign on the road today in Great Falls, Montana, as they took on the newly rebranded University of Providence Argos. The Wolves found themselves down 2-0, but instead of caving, rallied and took the third set. Walla Walla (0-1) fell in the fourth set to Providence (1-0) to lose their first match of the season 3-1.
Quick Hitters
- Two Wolves players set career highs in kills today, Morgan Doyle (14) and Caldora Blackburn (12)
- The biggest lead of the match was the Argos by 8 points, which they held multiple times in the first set and one time in the second. After that the margin was never greater than 5 points, which Walla Walla held in the third set
- Providence’s Melissa Gonzalez, right side hitter, lead all Providence players with 13 kills
- Setters Lauren Bosler and Krista Schafer lofted the majority of the assist’s for the Wolves and combining for 37 assists
- The Wolves had three players go for double-digit in digs today; Sarah Halversen (11), Lauren Bosler (12), and Lauren Barlow (13)
- The Wolves had 24 attack errors, compared to the Argos 17
How it Happened
Despite losing the first two sets, the Wolves showed signs early in the match they would not go down easy. Long rallies dominated play throughout the match, and while the Wolves defense played well early, too many attack errors early in the match hurt them. Coach Schafer said, “Defensively I was happy that we dug well on their hit, we are improving and kept with them in terms of digs.” Overall, the Wolves finished with just two less digs as a team (63 to 65).
In the third set, momentum swung to the Wolves. After giving up the first two points, Walla Walla went on an 8-3 run, topped off with a kill from Morgan Doyle. Morgan and Caldora Blackburn where extremely efficient today, and coach Schafer mentioned freshman, Sarah Halversen, as having a big impact as the match went on, including three straight aces late in the second set as the Wolves attempted a late comeback. The Wolves won the third set 25-20 and put the match within reach.
In the fourth Providence jumped out right away to a 5 to 1 lead, and took the lead 9 to 8 on a kill by Jenn Bosler. The set remained tight the rest of the way until the Argos went on a 4-0 run to take a 22 to 19 lead over the Wolves. Unable to close the gap, a kill by Josee Pendleton closed out the match as the Wolves lost the final set 25 to 22. Morgan Doyle led the Wolves with 14 kills, Krista Schafer led in assists with 20 and Lauren Barlow topped off a solid all-around game with a team high 13 digs. “This team has great potential and showed a lot of energy and team chemistry today,” Coach Schafer commented after the match.
The Wolves are in Helena, Montana tonight to face Carroll College. They then head to Dillion, Montana to play Western Montana and wrap up their two-day Montana tour.