PORTLAND, Ore. – The Multnomah University volleyball team made history on Friday night, defeating Evergreen State for the first time in program history in five sets (22-25, 28-25, 32-30, 25-20 and 15-12) at home in Lytle Gym.
 
It was the first match MU has come back to win after going down by two sets as a member of the NAIA, and in the process, setting a school record for the most conference wins in a season.
 
How it Happened: Both teams went back and forth in the opening set, working to a 17-17 tie. Evergreen rattled off five straight points to break away in set one, taking the early 1-0 lead. Set two was similar for the Geoducks, who put numerous runs together, ending with a 7-2 run to take the significant advantage.
 
The turning point in the match came at the end of the third set for the Lions after a kill by Miranda Halverson tied things up 25-25. Multnomah fought off five match points by the visitors before earning their first set win of the night off of three straight points, 32-30.
 
Set four continued to be a battle until the Lions, leading 20-19, went on a 5-1 run to tie the match up two sets apiece.
 
In the decisive match of the night, MU garnered a hitting percentage of .389, collecting eight kills with only one error to seal their first victory over the Geoducks in the final home stand of the season.
 
By the Numbers: Orchestrating a Lions' offense that hit .189, Marissa Rhodes surpassed the 40 assist mark for the first time in her career, collecting a career high 43 assists. Halverson also notched a career high with 19 kills while Batty Batoon and Maile Kam added 12 kills each.
 
Halverson also finished with a team high 18 digs while Kiana Miller collect 12 digs.
 
For Evergreen, Jorden Porter was the offensive force with 14 kills while Kylie Kytan tallied 42 assists. Megan Breckenridge finished with a match high 28 digs.
 
From the Coach: "Another great win for this program. We're proud of the girls for pushing through that third game and winning, coming from two games down," said head coach Jenna Bouey. "Halverson had a tremendous night in the front and back and Brittany Bowling came in and played well. We're looking forward to tomorrow night."
 
Coming up Next: The Lions return to Jim Skagen Court tomorrow night as they end the 2016 season welcoming Northwest University on senior night.