Warner Pacific Defeats Walla Walla
Paul Starkebaum, Sports Information Director
College Place, Wash. – The Wolves hosted the Knights of Warner Pacific College (2-2, 2-2) for their fourth conference match of the season. Both teams were playing their third match in four days. The Knights had the edge today as they defeated Walla Walla (1-8, 0-4) in straight sets.
By the Numbers
- Lauren Barlow led the Wolves with 9 kills and chipped in 9 digs
- Warner Pacific’s Janessa Mast 15 kills led all players
- Kealia Rosa of Warner Pacific lead all players with 34 assists
- Walla Walla played a balanced match with 6 players having two or more kills
How it Happened
Warner Pacific wasted little time getting things going in the first set, going on a 4-1 run to open the match. The Wolves seemed to struggle to find a rhythm, and the Knights Janessa Mast was feeling it early in the set. While Janessa was serving Warner Pacific went on an 8-0 run before an error gave the ball back to Walla Walla. Lauren Barlow answered with an ace but Warner Pacific’s M’Kailah Redden answered with a kill which gave possession back to the Knights. Warner Pacific remained in control the rest of the set and took the opener 25-12.
The second set would prove to be the best of the afternoon for the Wolves. Morgan Doyle started the second off with a kill up the middle and a couple of plays later Sarah Halversen did the same to tie it up 5-5. Scoring went back and forth but it felt like the Wolves were in control early. Jenn Bosler launched a power attack on the right side that found a gap and put Walla Walla up 9-7. The Wolves held on to that lead as points were scored by both teams. Lauren Barlow topped off a short run with an emphatic kill on the left side that put the Wolves up 15-11. Warner Pacific seemed to reenergize at this point and they fought their way back into the set, tying it up at 17-17. Caldora Blackburn would answer to put the Wolves up one, but from there the set turned in favor of the Knights. Up 24-22, Warner Pacific’s Jordan Hunter hit a strike up the middle that ended a hard fought set in favor the Knights 25-22.
Walla Walla opened the third set up three straight points, including a well-placed back row kill by Lauren Barlow. Warner Pacific took back control of the set behind the force of their powerful hitters. The Knights had the Wolves working hard to dig up balls and made it difficult to mount a counter attack. The Knights ended the match on a long run and concluding with an ace from Emily Granard giving Warner Pacific the set 25-12 and the match 3-0.
Up Next
Walla Walla is on the road next weekend. Saturday, September 16, they are in Eugene, Oregon to take on the Northwest Christian Beacons and Sunday afternoon the face the Corban University Warriors.