Ronnie Anderson

WWR- Soccer Senior Weekend

10/12/2016 8:56:00 PM

Paul Starkebaum, Sports Information Director

College Place, Wash.- Fall sports are beginning to wind down here at Walla Walla. This weekend volleyball is headed out of town, and soccer play's their last home games of the season. This weekend is senior weekend for Wolves soccer and we will be cheering on eight seniors this weekend for the last time. Softball will also be continuing their fall ball schedule this weekend, with a double header on Sunday.

Volleyball

Wolves are headed back to the I-5 this weekend to take on #22 Corban University (14-5, 10-3) on Friday afternoon and Northwest Christian University (7-12, 5-8) on Saturday night. The Wolves lost both of their matches this last weekend, however there were positives improvements that took place in both games. Lauren Barlow has continued to emerge as an attacker for the Wolves, accumulating 17 kills over the weekend. Maria Darling has been getting more involved on defense, with 19 digs over the two games, and as setter Krista Schafer had 33 assists. Something that does not make the stat sheet the growing number of hustles plays the Wolves had been making. In both matches there were several long rallies were the Wolves showed a lot of heard diving to keep the ball alive and making hustle plays all over the court. They will need to bring that intensity into this weekend's matches.

The Warriors of Corban University have been tough all season, and are hot right now, winning seven of their last eight matches coming into this weekend. They currently sit in second place in hitting percentage at a clip of .286 per match, and average over 12 assists per set to lead the CCC. Amber Parker has been the main force leading that attack with just over four kills per set, and she is followed closely by teammate Alaina Gentili who averages north of three per set and she has 68 blocks to go with those kills, and ranks ninth in the conference. Madison McClain has already accumulated over 800 assists this season, and hold the title of most assists in the season by any CCC setter by over a 100 assists. Libero Haley Wells has been holding down the back line with just under 4.5 digs per set which is good enough for second in the league. The Wolves will need to be very aware of where Amber Parker and Alaina Gentili are, as combined they have accumulated almost 60% off all Corban's kills on the season.

Saturday night's match with Northwest Christian University should be an interesting one, as the Beacons have perform well in several big games this year, including wins over Corban University and College of Idaho, but have also struggled of late, having won only two of their last seven matches. NCU is powered by a balanced attack, with three players all with over 100 kills on the season. Maci Beierle leads the Beacons with 375 assists, averaging just over 8.5 per set. The Wolves will want to avoid hitting into Keri Schwarz who has 40 blocks so far this season.

Soccer

Soccer's final two home games of the season pit them up against a couple of tough opponents. #18 Corban (10-2, 5-2) has a balanced attack, averaging just over two goals per match. They also do an excellent job of finding each other, out of their 25 goals, 20 of them have been assisted on. They also have been quiet stingy on defense, giving up just under one goal per match. Their Saturday opponent Northwest Christian University (6-4-2, 2-3-2) has scored, 18 goals on the season (1.5 per match) and while they do have four shutouts so far this year, they have given up on average almost as many goals per match as they have score (1.45 goals against per match). The Wolves will be looking for opportunities to score against the Beacons this weekend.

This weekend is really all about the seniors. Included below is all the seniors we will be honoring this weekend. Coach Burns shared some thoughts on each of his seniors.

Josh Fry- Goalkeeper "(He) has been one of the leaders as far as leading by example. He's been positive, really a teacher, trying to teach the other players what they need to do, how they need to play. He's been a nice leader in that sense."
Jonathan Lindsey CB\Goalkeeper "A jack of all trades, he's played keeper, defender, mid field. He will do whatever you ask of him and that has been great."
Arnoldo Caldera F "Arnie has really kicked it into gear the last few games, he's taken a leadership role, he has started to talk to the other guys and take responsibly for them."
Edwin Munoz F "He has a sneaky sense of humor. He asks a lot of questions on what he can do to improve, I really appreciate that, he's been very coachable and has been a pleasant addition to the team this year."
Martin Chinn CB "He's been a leader for the team for a while. You can tell he has a lot invested in the program. He really wants to succeed. It has been a tough season for him because he wants it so bad. He leads with his play, wears his emotion on his sleeve and leaves it all out on the field. For sure a main leader on the team."
Foluwasomi Oyefeso RB "He's been great. Never have to ask him to play hard or give maximum effort. Always gives it no matter what.
Anibal Castillo CB "Very coachable, willing to do whatever, he leaves it out on the field. Never had to mention effort, he gives it his all every time."
Austin Kidder- F "Full of positivity no matter what, in game, after, at practice or on the bus he's positive and is encouraging his teammates.

Friday's game is set for 3:30pm against Corban University. Saturday night's match against Northwest Christian University will start at 7:30p.m.

Softball

Softball is hosting fall ball once again this Sunday. The host Big Bend Community College and Lewis-Clark State College. Games start at 10 a.m. The team did great last weekend, and they would love to see you out at the field on Sunday morning!

For the Soccer Schedule CLICK HERE

For the Volleyball Schedule CLICK HERE

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