LEWISTON, Idaho – The Walla Walla University Wolves made it clear that they are a new force to be reckoned with in the Cascade Conference with a 3-0 sweep of LC State Volleyball on Thursday. Walla Walla controlled the match from start to finish to even the season series 1-1.
"Coach Krumm has transformed Walla Walla University Volleyball," Head Coach Katie Palmer said. "I have so much respect for the way she prepares her squad and the lineup adjustments she made to make them more competitive than when we saw them last week. We didn't have any area of our game clicking tonight. All we can do is learn from this match and keep focusing on how we can improve."
The loss has LC State at 4-3 on the season and 1-1 in CCC play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Wolves jumped out to a quick in the first set and never looked back. Kills by
Missy Mortensen and
Juliauna Forgach Aguilar, along with a block by
Hallie Seaman and
Abby Beaton, evened the set 3-3. Kills by
Anna Merrill and Gianna Anderon, as well as a block by Mortensen and Anderson, kept things close at 10-10, but the Wolves pulled ahead 22-18 late in the frame. A kill by Forgach Aguilar and ace by
Ella Stosich had the Warriors within one, 22-21, but WWU took the close set 25-23.
Three Walla Walla errors gave LC State an early 3-1 edge in the second frame, but the Wolves rebounded to pull ahead 10-6. Swings by Forgach Aguilar, Anderson and Mortensen kept the set within reach, 17-13, but another run by WWU grew the Warriors' deficit to 21-13. Walla Walla carried the momentum to a 25-17 set win.
A block by Mortensen and
Kate Schneider and kills by Anderson and Schneider gave the Warriors a slim 8-6 advantage in the third set before a block by
Karissa Lindner and Schneider, kill by
Taylin Rowley and ace by
Abbey Neff made it 11-8. WWU answered with a 10-1 rally to regain control at 18-12. Rowley tallied a kill and
Katie Rainville dealt a service ace to cut the margin to 22-19, and kills by Schneider and Rowley kept the difference at three but the Warriors could not catch Walla Walla and fell 25-21.
STAT RECAP
Forgach Aguilar led the Warriors with 14 kills and Mortensen assisted on four blocks.
Esther Kailiponi led the team in assists (11) and digs (7).
UP NEXT
LC State stays on the road for four Cascade Conference matches, starting with a battle with Northwest in Kirkland on Sept. 6.
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