Beacons beat Wolves
Paul Starkebaum, Sports Information Director
College Place, Wash. – The Lady Wolves hosted the Beacons of Northwest Christian University tonight in a Cascade Conference match. Beacons setter, Maci Beierle, had a massive impact on the match with 38 assists as the Beacons attack proved to be the difference in a win over Walla Walla in straight sets.
The Numbers
- Caldora Blackburn and Lauren Barlow tied for the Wolves high in kills with 8 a piece
- Kasey Campell of Northwest Christian led all players in the match with 11 kills
- The Beacons had six players with 5 or more kills
- Sarah Halversen led all players with 4 blocks
How It Happened
The Beacons came out hot, starting the opening set on a 5-1 run. Scoring went back and forth for several points, but Northwest Christian slowly built up their lead. A Block by Sarah Halversen and Caldora Blackburn looked like it may tip the momentum but the Beacons came right back, with an ace from setter Maci Beierle to put them up 14-6. Walla Walla stormed back with an exceptionally long rally that ended with another double block from Halversen and Blackburn. The Beacons kept their cool and their steady attack kept the Wolves from closing the gap. The set seemed well out of reach for the Wolves, but down 15-24 they rattled off five straight points, forcing the Beacons to call a timeout. However, Megan Van Marter of Northwest Christian tipped it just over the net, and despite a diving effort from Lauren Barlow the Wolves couldn't keep the magic going, losing the opening set 25-20.
In the second set, Northwest Christian got out to a 13-6 lead through the consistency of their attack. Both teams battled through several of long rallies but the Wolves were not able to convert many of those opportunities into points. Keri Schwarz ended the set with a kill as the Beacons took the second set 25-10.
Northwest Christians Kasey Campell put a ball down hard on the left side to put the Beacons up 13-5 in the third set. With the match slipping away from Walla Walla, they rallied back going on a 6-3 run. Walla Walla continued to chip away at the lead, and down 20-17 things were looking up. Northwest Christian answered with a kill from Danielle Willyard to go back up 4 points. Down 24-18, Jenn Bosler and Morgan Doyle scored on back-to-back plays to give the Wolves a glimmer of hope. But the Beacons finished out the match with a kill from Kasey Campbell on the left side to take the set and the match 25-20.
Up Next
Walla Walla plays #16 Corban University on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.