Box Score Wolves Push for Comeback but Come Up Short to Evergreen
Paul Starkebaum, Sports Information Director
Olympia, Wash. – Conference play kicked off this evening for the Wolves in Olympia, Washington as Walla Walla (1-4) took on the Geoducks of The Evergreen State College (4-4). Despite a great effort in the final two sets, Walla Walla was unable to take down the Geoducks, losing the match 3-1.
By the Numbers
- Lauren Barlow led all players in kills and digs tonight, putting up 15 in both categories
- Lauren Bosler led Walla Walla with 19 assists
- Morgan Doyle and Evergreen's Chloee Hunt both had 5 total blocks for their respective teams
- Chloee Hunt (13) and Natalie Taylor (14) led the Geoducks in kills
- Matalasi Laban had 8 aces for Evergreen
How it Happened
The Geoducks came out red hot, jumping out to an early 7-2 lead in the opening set. Matalasi Laban laid down three aces in a row before
Lauren Barlow ended the run with a kill on the left side. Scoring bounced back and forth but the Wolves looked like they might gain some momentum after a kill from Sarah Halversen in the middle. However, the Wolves sputtered and Evergreen went on a 3-0 run to open the lead back up to 8 points. Walla Walla showed their resilience and brought the match within four points down 15 to 11. The Geoducks took back control of the match from there and a failed attack by the Wolves gave Evergreen a 25-15 win in the opening set over Walla Walla.
After a quick 2-0 start for Evergreen, a
Jenn Bosler kill opened the scoring for the Wolves in the second set. From there, the strong attack of the Geoducks pushed them ahead 9-3 and forced a timeout from Walla Walla. The Wolves used consistent play to get back into the match and close the gap to three points. A kill by Halversen put the Wolves down just three points at 14-11. However, Evergreen took control from there with Matalasi Laban ending the set with an ace and the Geoducks took the match 25-13.
Walla Walla struck early in the third set with a kill from
Morgan Doyle. Evergreen bounced back and took an early 5-1 advantage, behind the strong serving of Megan Breckenridge. Walla Walla refused to give up, getting back into the match as both teams went back and forth on the scoreboard. A kill by
Lauren Barlow put the Wolves within two points, 17-15. A big-time block by Sarah Haleversen and
Caldora Blackburn tied the match at 19-19. The Geoducks answered and took a 21-19 lead.
Nicole Bennett-Gomes put up a solo block and an attack error by the Geoducks tied the game at 21-21. Walla Walla benefited from back-to-back errors from Evergreen and took a two-point lead late. However, Evergreen brought the match back and tied it up at 24-24. Neither team would give up in this one and scoring went back and forth before a kill by
Lauren Barlow pushed Walla Walla over the edge and gave them the 28-26 win over the Geoducks.
Walla Walla was feeling the momentum early, taking a 2-0 lead off a
Caldora Blackburn and
Morgan Doyle block. It was on from there and both teams battled with the Geoducks taking a slight lead into the middle of the set. The Wolves showed a lot of heart in the fourth, making hustle plays and running far and wide to keep points alive. The Geoducks seemed to catch a second wind, sending attack after attack at Walla Walla. Evergreen had slowly built themselves a comfortable lead before Walla Walla made their run. A 6-0 run tied it up at 18-18 before the Geoducks broke the streak and took back the lead, 20-18. Despite great effort the entire set from Walla Walla, a Natalie Taylor kill ended things as the Geoducks took the game 25-21, and the match 3-1.
Up Next
Walla Walla faces Northwest University tomorrow night. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m., in Kirkland.
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