Volleyball serves up first conference win

BY RACHEL SHELLEY
AND CHIANNA TOLTON
SPORTS EDITOR
AND FREELANCER

 

Western Oregon University Volleyball
had their first Great Northwest Athletic Conference
(GNAC) win of the season in Lacey,
Wash. against Saint Martin’s University Saturday
Oct. 25, where they finished 3-1 (25-
12, 25-19, 21-25, 25-21) in the match.
Leading the team offensively was redshirt
freshman outside hitter Alisha Bettinson,
who added 10 kills and five aces for the
Wolves.
“We’ve been really close in a lot of
matches this year,” said Bettinson. “We finally
put everything together to put ourselves
on top.”
Senior setter Jordin Ramos added a
team-high 24 assists while freshman setter
Kiana Cash dished out 18 for the Wolves.
Senior opposite hitter Hannah Deede and
redshirt freshman middle blocker Sydney
Blankenship grabbed nine kills and a teamhigh
four blocks each.
Four Western players added doubledigit
digs led by sophomore outside hitter
Christie Colasurdo with a match-high 26.
Western started off on a 7-2 run in the
first set followed by a 6-3 run by Saint Martin’s
to bring the score within two, 10-8. Bettinson
got her third service ace of the first set
to bring the Wolves on a 6-1 run, bringing
the score to 16-10. The Wolves scored an unanswered
five points before closing the opening
set with a 4-1 run.
The second set saw an early 10-3 lead
by the Wolves where they were able to keep
their momentum with a 7-1 run and finishing
the set 25-19. The third set was won by
Saint Martin’s, where the Saint’s scored the
final seven points after being behind to earn
the 25-21 victory.
The fourth set opened up with the
Wolves scoring the first five points. Ramos
began the 6-2 lead with a kill. The score was
tied at 20-20 after the Saint’s made a run but
the Wolves were able to finish the set and the
match with 5-1 run, earning the Wolves their
first GNAC conference win.
“Error free is carefree,” said senior outside
hitter Sam Moore. “We really took that
into the match and the scores showed it.”
Moore had eight kills, three blocks and an
ace contributing to Saturday night’s success.
The Wolves welcome University of Alaska
to Monmouth Saturday, Nov. 1 where play
will start at 7p.m.