FOREST GROVE, Ore. – The Loras College women's volleyball team posted a 1-1 record on day one of the Oregon Trail Classic, defeating Linfield University, 3-0, before falling to the host, Pacific University, 3-1, in the afternoon finale.
Loras 3, Linfield 0
In the first set against the Wildcats, the Duhawks trailed by four twice, but a late set five-point scoring frenzy gave Loras a 20-18 lead over Linfield.
The Duhawks took set one by a score of 25-21.
Loras (3-2) started out set two with a kill by
Autumn Finch and never relinquished the lead for the remainder of the set. The Duhawks held a two-set advantage after a decisive 25-19 victory in game two.
Linfield (1-3) started set three off strong, rattling off six consecutive points to hold an early 6-0 lead over the Duhawks. Loras fought back and tied things up at seven.
Both squads posted back-to-back seven-point runs late in the set to even the score at 17-17, but the Duhawks prevailed in the end taking the final set 25-22.
Loras was led by Finch who totaled nine kills and three blocks.
Sophie Younkin and
Alexis Woltman added eight kills apiece, while
Sara Hoskins tallied 30 assists and nine digs in the win.
Cat Meyer posted a team-high 11 digs and three services aces for the Duhawks.
Katelin Sindular led the way for the Wildcats with nine kills, while teammate Nora Myre followed closely behind with seven kills and five digs of her own. Claire Johnson chipped in 28 assists for Linfield in the loss.
Pacific 3, Loras 1
Pacific (2-4) jumped out to a 2-0 lead defeating the Duhawks in both sets by scores of 25-21.
Loras (3-3) responded taking set three by a score of 25-18. The Duhawks grasped onto an early 5-4 lead and were able to withstand the Boxers' scoring runs to send the match into the fourth set.
The home team won the final set 25-10 to earn the 3-1 win over the Duhawks.
Finch led the Duhawk offense once again with 15 kills. Meyer totaled nine kills and eight digs, while Hoskins served up three aces and 37 assists in the loss.
Deborah Chun put down 19 kills and scored six points off service aces for the Boxers. Alison Brown and Kayla Craft posted 16 and 11 kills respectively, while Emily Cheavtharn totaled 46 assists in the win.
Up Next: In day two of the Oregon Trail Classic, the Duhawks will faceoff against Willamette University at 12:30 p.m. (PT) and George Fox University at 5:30 p.m. (PT).
