BELLINGHAM, Wash.--Mele Taumoepeau rained down a career-high 20 kills but a late match rush by Western Washington led the hosts to a 3-1 win over the Wolves on Thursday night at WECU Court at Carver Gym.
The Vikings moved to .500 with a 25-17, 23-25, 25-23, 25-12 victory in front of 656 home fans. WWU is now 3-3 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference and 6-6 overall. The Wolves dipped to 2-4 in conference play and 6-8 overall.
Taumoepeau, a senior transfer from Morgan State and a North Shore (Oahu) native, hit double digits kill totals for the third straight match. Her 20 kills led all players tonight, as did her 17 digs. Her 20 kills is a career best by seven (13 was her previous high).
Western Oregon had a slow start in this one. In the first set, they had 13 attack errors, but they were still in the hunt at 14-14. But the Vikings won six of the next seven points to pull away for the 25-17 win.
But WOU bounced back in set two, hitting .268. Tied at 22-22, the Wolves took a one-digit lead on
Kate Markley's kill. Deadlocked again at 23-23,
Vivian Yount put one down off the Viking block, and then Markley closed out the winning set with another kill to make it 25-23.
The third set was back and forth, until WWU took a 23-19 lead late. The Wolves rallied back to 23-22, but the Vikings finished with three out of the next four points to win, 25-23.
The Vikings owned the fourth set. They hit a sizzling .375 and held WOU to a .000 attack percentage to cruise to a 25-12 margin.
WOU's
Samantha Darby supported Taumoepeau's effort with 41 assists. She also had 15 digs. Four Wolves players had double digit dig totals.
Western Washington was led by Delaney Speer's 14 kills and 15 digs.
The Wolves will continue north to take on Simon Fraser on Saturday at 7pm.
