LEWISTON, Idaho — Walla Walla University went 1-2 at the Hells Canyon Grand Invitational in Lewiston, Idaho, where they played in their first conference matchup against the Lewis-Clark State Warriors. The Wolves took one set from the LC Warriors Thursday evening, but ended the match 1-4. On Friday, the Wolves swept Pacific Union College 3-0, but fell to the Fighting Saints of Carroll College, 0-3.
Thursday Recap:
On Thursday evening, the Wolves came out ready to play, giving the Warriors of LC State a run for their money. In the four set series, the Wolves lost the first set, 21-25, won the second 28-26, but lost the third and fourth sets,17-25, and 23-25 respectively. This was the first time since 2022 that Walla Walla has taken a set from the Warriors.
Wolves Stats:
Junior Natalia Jimenez had 15 kills and four blocks
Sophomore Sahara Browning had a double-double with 15 kills and 13 digs
Sophomore outside hitter, Lauren Moody also had a double-double with 10 kills and 14 digs
Sophomore Femke Eising and freshman Kiana Cueto had two blocks each
Senior setter, Danielle Faamausili had 21 assists
Freshman setter, Melissa Monterroza had 17 assists
Junior libero, Idalis Bedore had 11 digs
LC Warriors Stats:
Juilauna Forgach Aguilar had 14 kills
Taylor Boyce had 13
Esther Kailiponi had three aces
Missy Mortensen had six blocks
Teagan Scott had 21 assists
Friday Recap:
On day two of the Hells Canyon Grand Invitational, the Walla Walla Wolves faced off against Pacific Union College at 10 am. The Wolves came out ready to win, which was shown in this three set sweep, leading to their first win of the 2024 season.
Wolves Stats:
Outside hitter Sahara Browning earned her second double-double of the season and of the tournament with 16 kills and 15 digs
Junior right side Natalia Jimenez had nine kills and eight digs
Libero Idalis Bedore had an impressive five aces
Setter Danielle Fassmausili had three aces, and 15 assists
Freshman Setter Melissa Monterroza had 15 assists as well
Freshman Kiana Cueto had six kills
PUC Stats:
Diamen Brown, Madison Kindred, and Izzy Bandy all had three kills each
Ryin Le had three aces and seven assists
Olivia Newman had 11 digs
After this win for the Wolves, they had to get right back into game mode where they fell to the Fighting Saints of Carroll College in this three set sweep. The Wolves fought hard but their efforts fell short as Carroll kept them below 20 points each set.
Wolves Stats:
Sophomore Sahara Browning had another impressive game with 15 kills
Right side Natalia Jimenez had 11 kills
Danielle Faamausili had 16 assists
Melissa Monterroza had 13 assists
Idalis Bedore, Melissa Monterroza, and Danielle Faasmausili all had nine digs each
Carroll Stats:
Elizabeth Heuiser had 14 kills
Lauren Heuiser had eight kills and one ace
Hannah Schweikert had an impressive 28 assists
Juila Carr had 13 digs
While the Wolves ended the tournament with only one win, they showed that they are a new group that is going to compete. Thank you to Wolves Fans and Donors who traveled to Lewiston to support Wolves Volleyball. Make sure to tune in next week when the Wolves face off against the LC Warriors for round two, on Thursday, August 29 at 6 pm.
