PORTLAND, Ore. – In their first ever Cascade Collegiate Conference match, the Multnomah University volleyball team fell to visiting Warner Pacific in three close sets (17-25,21-25,21-25) at Jim Skagen Court on Tuesday night.
 
Sophomore outside hitter Patty Batoon led the way for the Lions racking up 14 kills while freshman setter Marissa Rhodes tallied 25 assists on the night.
 
Multnomah will continue at home this weekend as they welcome The Evergreen State College on Friday night followed by Northwest University on Saturday.
 
"The girls did a lot of great things out there tonight, and even though we lost we're encouraged knowing that we haven't seen this team at their very best yet" said head coach Jenna Bouey, "I think if we can serve a bit tougher and cut down on our own unforced errors we'll be coming out on top of these close matches."
 
The Knights used a .440 hitting percentage in the first set taking the early lead over MU. Warner Pacific was led by junior outside hitter Janessa White who totaled a game high of 16 kills. Her teammate Kealia Rosa, a freshman setter, also had a game high in assists reaching 31.
 
The Lions to battle in set two but continued to fault allowing the Knights to take control of the game, giving up a total of 13 service errors.
 
"I thought Devyn had an excellent game for us in the back row tonight, and Rhodes did a superb job as usual hustling for every ball. Keep looking out for those two freshman, they're only getting started" continued Coach Bouey
 
Following Batoon are freshman outside hitter Miranda Halverson who landed eight kills and senior middle blocker Kathrynn Gerard who finished with seven kills.
 
Multnomah falls to 0-1, 0-1 CCC, on the season while the Knights improve to 2-0, 1-0 CCC.