Larry Canaday

Wolves Volleyball Earns First Win in Split with PUC

8/5/2014 4:46:00 PM

College Place, Washington – Walla Walla University (1-12), and Pacific Union College (Angwin, CA) battled through two matches, and a total of nine games on Thursday. The clubs split the matches, with Pacific Union (PUC) winning in the early afternoon, 3-1 (17-25, 25-12, 25-16, 25-16). Walla Walla followed in the evening by winning the nightcap, 3-2 (19-25, 25-17, 11-25, 25-22, 16-14). The evening result left PUC with a 5-3 record on the season, and a 3-1 record on their recent road trip through the pacific northwest.

Match 1: In their first home action of the season, the Wolves seemed to be in control early on, and won the first game of the match. However, during the next three games, PUC was able to capitalize on Wolves errors, and would make runs that that the home team had a difficult time countering.

Coach Don Hepker made it clear to his team that tip coverage would be an adjustment they would need to make if they were going to have any success. "We were digging, and blocking the hits – but what we didn't get in the first match was any of the tips. We really worked on that, and made it our focus."

Walla Walla would make the adjustments, and move on from what happened in the first match, determined to win the evening game.

Match 2: A victory in the second match would show the resilience and growth of this Wolves team. WWU fell behind 2-1 after three games. To make matters worse, the third game was never close with Pacific Union College comfortably cruising to game-point (25-11). But the Wolves were not going down without a fight in this match. Freshman outside hitter, Lexi Shanko provided a tremendous block to give her team the lead (13-12). PUC kept it close until freshman middle blocker, Natalie Skeoch contributed with a fine sequence of plays – a block, followed by a kill put the Wolves up 20-16. Freshman Lauren Barlow would go on to bring the Wolves to game-point, after finishing the crucial point. Of the team's mentality during their comeback, Barlow said: "We turned our mindset to thinking about winning, we just couldn't stop to think about mistakes that we had made."

The early stages of the fifth and deciding game were marked by the on court energy of the Wolves. Barlow was particularly effective, as she continued her strong play with a block giving Walla Walla the early 4-2 edge. When asked about how she was able to maintain her energy through nine games, Barlow replied: "My teammates helped me keep my energy up by being positive, and pumping me up…. we scored a couple of points, and the energy just kept building."

After switching sides with an 8-2 advantage, Barlow had another kill, as did sophomore Maria Darling – but Pacific Union rallied and brought it to 14-14 going into game-point. After two PUC errors ended the game, the Wolves were able to celebrate their first win of the 2014 season.

Coach Hepker was pleased with his team following the match: "PUC is just a quality program, they are better than some of the teams that have already beaten us. So for us to get our first win, against one of the better teams we have faced – is huge."

Over the course of the two matches, the Wolves statistical leaders were (So) Maria Darling, (Fr) Lauren Barlow, and (Fr) Lexi Shanko, respectively, with 17, 15, and 10 kills. In the assists column, (Fr) Lindsay Redfield led the way with 27, with (So) Alissa Casey was right behind with 23. Another standout freshman, Sierra Hample, was a team leader in digs – recording 11. Lexi Shanko had a team high 3 solo blocks, and (Fr) Natalie Skeoch also kicked in a solo block of her own.

The Wolves will look to build on this victory, as they prepare to face Spokane Community College in an exhibition matchup, Thursday, September 11^thhere, in College Place.

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