Volleyball | 10/20/2011 9:27:00 PM
Box Score [Box score] [Match recap with Young]
MONMOUTH, Ore. - Western Oregon volleyball fans had the opportunity to experience something that has not happened in 40 years; a match in the Old PE Building.
Western Oregon fans came out and packed the historic building to support the Wolves, as they took revenge on Montana State Billings with a 25-18, 25-21 and 25-17 sweep on Thursday, Oct. 20.
WOU answered back for a loss earlier this season in Montana behind its two middle blockers,
Krissi Kemper and
Becky Blees.
"I really wanted to beat this team," Western Oregon head coach
Brad Saindon said. "There was maybe a little bit of a revenge motive. That match we lost in Montana hurt us and I am very happy we came out, got on top of those guys and didn't let up."
The Wolves hit .312 in the first set and finished the match with a .263 to .140 edge over the Yellowjackets in the hitting department. Kemper led the way with 11 kills and no errors. Blees was nearly as good as she killed eight balls and made just two mistakes.
"Our middles were virtually unstoppable this match," Saindon explained. "Becky hit .429 and Krissi hit .458. It was an unbelievable job by them."
Blees and
Danielle Reese also added five assisted blocks apiece as Western Oregon controlled the net with an 8.5 to 1 advantage in the block department.
"More than anything else the past couple weeks we have been working on our blocking and I am very happy that is showed tonight," noted Saindon.
LesLyne Satele dished out 33 assists in the three sets and also killed three balls without an error. Nine of those assists went to
Samantha Ward, who hit .412 in the match.
Megan Triggs and
Cally Young combined for 27 digs and helped fuel the Wolves' offensive attack with strong passing from the backline.
"Overall I thought we had a great performance and I am really, really happy with this win," Saindon said. "It was really fun to be in Old PE and I'm happy with the way it turned out. It certainly was fun and different, and made this match unique. I will be interested to see what the fans have to say about it, but it was fun to play over here for sure."
The WOU volleyball team will be back in New PE on Saturday (Oct. 22) to take on the defending GNAC champion Falcons of Seattle Pacific at 7:00 p.m.
"We are really looking forward to Saturday night," Saindon said. "SPU is a team that has had their way with us for a while, but we are way better than we were when we played them earlier in the season. It is going to be a very good match to watch and it is an important match for us because we want to beat that team."
This match just like the match in Old PE will have a unique twist. The Wolves will be hosting their annual 'Dig Pink' event on Saturday.
"My players are very serious about breast cancer awareness and their commitment to draw attention to the issue, so we are hosting 'Dig Pink' Night on Saturday," continued Saindon. "It is not just a let's do it to do it thing, it is something that is very important to my players. Several of my players have family members that are dealing with cancer so it hits them closer to home. So we want to invite everyone to wear pink and support our 'Dig Pink' Night and help us draw attention to breast cancer awareness."
Tickets for the event are $6 for adults and $4 for all non-WOU students and seniors. All paying fans will receive a Wolves Against Breast Cancer bracelet with admission and $2 from every ticket will be donated back to Wolves Against Breast Cancer.
