CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Bushnell University volleyball team has been named the Cascade Collegiate Conference Team of the Week after earning a pair of conference victories, including a four-set upset of No. 22-ranked Lewis-Clark State, to strengthen its position in the CCC standings.
The Beacons opened the weekend with a sweep of Walla Walla, winning 25-20, 25-18, 25-17. Bushnell hit .252 as a team while limiting the Wolves to a .056 attack percentage. Taya Blankenship led the offense with 13 kills while hitting .458 and added nine digs. Aliyah Malone contributed six kills at a .455 clip, while Soleil Sands added seven kills and four blocks. Emma Fa'alogo and Avery McCallister combined for 34 assists.
Bushnell followed with a four-set victory over No. 22 Lewis-Clark State, 14-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-19, earning its third NAIA Top 25 victory of the season. After dropping the opening set, the Beacons responded by winning three straight, finishing with a 10-2 advantage in blocks and a 62-61 edge in total points.
Blankenship and Amyah Semau paced the attack with 10 kills apiece. Sands added nine kills and five blocks, while Carly Hanna hit .700 with seven kills and five blocks. The Beacons' defensive presence at the net helped limit the Warriors after their strong opening-set performance.
The two victories moved Bushnell to 17-8 overall and 12-6 in CCC play, placing the Beacons in a three-way tie for fourth in the conference standings with Lewis-Clark State and Southern Oregon University. Bushnell also secured a top-six conference finish and a home play-in game.