Volleyball | 10/29/2011 9:49:00 PM
Box Score ELLENSBURG, Wash. - The Western Oregon volleyball team got up two sets and then held on for a 25-17, 25-23, 22-25, 19-25 and 15-12 five-set win against Central Washington on Saturday, Oct. 29.
Becky Blees paced the Wolves (11-8, 10-5 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) with a double-double. She had 10 kills and matched the Western Oregon single-match record with 12 assisted blocks. Blees helped lead a strong Western Oregon defense which recorded 18.5 blocks during the five sets and held CWU (12-10, 6-8 GNAC) to a .080 hitting percentage.
Krissi Kemper led WOU with 16 kills on just 39 swings, for a .333 hitting percentage.
Corynn Kopra also added 15 kills and
Samantha Ward chipped in with 10.
Brenna Peterson, who was starting in place of
LesLyne Satele, had 43 assists and
Megan Triggs recorded a career-high 44 digs, two short of the Western Oregon single-match record.
"I am so happy about the play of
Brenna Peterson," said Western Oregon head coach
Brad Saindon. "She helps us so much throughout the year in practice but often sits in anonymity during the matches. But tonight, in her first start in a hostile environment, she came through big for us."
The Wolves looked very strong early as they came out and took the first two sets. They closed out the first on a 5-0 run and the second on a 3-0 run to take the two set lead into the break. CWU then answered back by taking the next two sets and sending the match to decisive fifth set. In the deciding set, Western Oregon took control early and would never trail. They put together runs of 3-1, 3-0 and 4-1 to finish off the Wildcats.
"It wasn't the prettiest match we've played that's for sure, but to win both matches on the road under these circumstances I couldn't be more proud of my team," noted Saindon. "We can't wait to come home. This has been a long, hard trip."
The Western Oregon volleyball team will close out its regular season schedule at home. It will host Saint Martin's this Saturday (Nov. 5), and then welcome the Alaska schools to town the following weekend.
