Volleyball hosts Concordia Tuesday, MSU Billings for Senior Night Thursday

MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Western Oregon volleyball team closes out their 2019 season this week, hosting the Concordia Cavaliers Tuesday, Nov. 19, and the MSUB Yellowjackets Thursday, Nov. 21, at NPE Gym. Both matches will start at 7 p.m. Thursday will be Senior Night for the only senior on the team in Allyson Crisp.

Crisp transferred in for her one and only season at Western Oregon this year after playing at Eastern Oregon. The Eugene, Ore., native has played in 82 sets this season and 24 matches leading the team in total blocks with 67, including 18 solo, is third on the team in kills with 116 and also has 14 service aces, an assist and 31 digs. She's recorded at least a block in 22 matches this year going for multiple blocks in 15 matches and has at least five blocks in five matches. Crisp sent back a season-high six blocks in three different matches against Saint Martin's (twice) and Holy Names. She's recorded a kill in every match this year, going for multiple kills in 20 matches with five or more kills in nine matches. Her season-high 12 kills came against Saint Martin's and she added a 10-kill effort versus Northwest Nazarene. Her hitting percentages have been solid as well going for over .500 twice with a high of .667 and has hit at least .300 in 12 matches.

Western Oregon (4-21, 2-16 GNAC) began a run of four straight games at home last week, losing 3-0 to the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks before battling the Central Washington Wildcats to five sets before falling.

The Wolves won the first two sets on Saturday against CWU, posting 25 kills through the first two games. The Wildcats defense locked into gear to follow, however, holding WOU to just 20 kills over the next three sets.

Lauren Smith led Western in Saturday's five-set battle with 14 kills and five digs. Aubrey Stanton posted a double-double with 34 assists, 26 digs and seven kills.

WOU enters the week hitting .163 as a team while opponents hold a .250 hitting percentage on the year.

Delaney Smith and Allyson Crisp rank in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference's top 15 in hitting percentage with Smith hitting .355 for the second-best mark in the GNAC.

Concordia (9-16, 7-11 GNAC) has lost four of their last five matches, avoiding a five-game losing streak with a 3-2 win over Central Washington on Thursday.

In their first meeting of the year, the Cavs captured a 3-0 win over the Wolves in Portland on Sept. 17.

CU's defense is bolstered by Callie Wilkins who is second in the GNAC with a 5.44 digs per set average.

WOU is still in search of their first win over Concordia during their NCAA DII era.

Montana State Billings (8-20, 5-13 GNAC) visits for Senior Day on Thursday. The Yellowjackets snapped a six-game losing streak last week with a 3-1 win over Seattle Pacific, but have now lost seven of their last eight, taking a step back with a 3-1 loss to Saint Martin's on Saturday. It was the first win of the season for SMU, snapping a 26-game losing streak.

MSUB is hitting .180 as a team while opponents hold a .231 hitting percentage. Joelle Mahowald holds a .318 hitting percentage, good for fourth in the GNAC.

WOU lost their first meeting of the year with the 'Jackets, 3-1, in Billings. Sarah Crowell led the Wolves with nine kills while Allie Spear tallied 16 digs.

Both matches this week are set for a 7 p.m. first serve at NPE Gym.

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Players Mentioned

#2 Aubrey Stanton: S; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#15 Allyson Crisp: MB/OPP; 6' 2"; Senior

#4 Sarah Crowell: DS; 5' 9"; Freshman

#6 Delaney Smith: MB; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#8 Lauren Smith: OH; 6' 1"; Freshman

#1 Allie Spear: OH/DS; 5' 5"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#2 Aubrey Stanton
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: S

#15 Allyson Crisp
: 6' 2"; Senior
: MB/OPP

#4 Sarah Crowell
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: DS

#6 Delaney Smith
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: MB

#8 Lauren Smith
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: OH

#1 Allie Spear
: 5' 5"; Junior
: OH/DS