Wolves Hustle Past Deacons for First Win of the Season

8/24/2017 11:30:00 PM

Box Score Paul Starkebaum, Sports Information Director

Eugene, Ore. – Tonight the Wolves found themselves on the road once again for their fourth match of the season. This time against the Deacons of New Hope Christian College (0-1). Walla Walla (1-3) showed great resilience tonight, as they picked themselves up after stumbling in the second set to take the match 3-1 over the Deacons.

By the Numbers
(stats not yet available)

How it Happened

In the opening set the Wolves and Deacons dueled back and forth before a run by the Wolves put them up 10-6. The Wolves maintained a slight lead as the match progressed, and a kill by Sarah Halverson sparked a 4-0 that put Walla Walla ahead 20-14. Walla Walla sealed the set at took a 25-18 victory to open the match.

The second set would go back and forth to the end. Walla Walla was in the lead for the majority of the time but could never create separation on the scoreboard. A kill from Jenn Bosler on the left side put the Wolves up 17-14. The Deacons responded with four straight points to take the lead and force a timeout. Jenn answered the bell once again with another kill and tied the set back at 18s. New Hope refused to give up the momentum a held on to win 25-22.

After a slow start, Walla Walla gained back their confidence and a kill off a free ball put the Wolves within one to 7-6. Several long rallies followed, and Lauren Bosler and Morgan Doyle kept the Wolves in those points with some acrobatic digs. A resounding kill from Lauren Barlow put the Wolves on top 10-9 for their first lead of the set. The Wolves ripped off a 10-0 run, with several overpowering kills from Lauren Barlow and topped off with a kill from the middle by Sarah Halversen. The Wolves won the set 25-15, taking a 2 to 1 lead.

With the Wolves feeling the match swinging in their favor, they jumped to an early 6-3 lead. The Deacons countered and got themselves right back into the set, coming within 1 point before a hitting error put the Wolves up 11-9. Lauren Barlow followed that up with a huge kill on the left side. It seemed like every time Walla Walla needed an extra boost or a spark, Lauren was there to deliver. A couple of kills from New Hope breathed life back and they stormed back to take a 19-17 lead. The Wolves gutted out a couple of long rallies and took back the lead 21-20 and forcing a timeout from the Deacons. Up 24-22, Sarah Halversen put the exclamation mark on the match with a big kill in the middle, ushering in Walla Walla's first win of the season, 3-1 over New Hope.

Up Next

Wolves take the rest of the week off before a busy week to close out August. The Wolves host Blue Mountain Community College, on Tuesday, August 29 before heading to Seattle for their first Cascade Conference matches of the season.

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