RACHEL SHELLEY | SPORTS EDITOR and CHIANNA TOLTON | 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.
