REDDING, Calif. – After starting the day off with a 3-1 loss to Pacific Union, the Multnomah University volleyball team finished the opening day of the Simpson Classic on a high note with a 3-1 win over Simpson for their first victory of the year.
 
The Lions continue the tournament tomorrow morning as they play New Hope Christian College at 10 a.m. followed by a 1:30 p.m. match against West Coast Baptist.
 
"The girls fought hard today and kept their composure no matter the score. Our serving has gotten better and that has helped a lot to shift the momentum overall and our passing as a team has been stellar," said head coach Jenna Bouey
 
Simpson: Multnomah ended the day with a split, defeating the host school in four, 25-23, 25-27, 25-22, and 25-20.
 
Freshman Maile Kam led the way in this one for the Lions with 14 kills on 31 swings followed by sophomore Miranda Halverson and junior Patty Batoon, who added nine kills each. Halverson also added a match high 18 digs in the match.
 
Sophomore setter Marissa Rhodes tallied 17 assists and 10 digs while freshman Kayla Keane added 13 assists and freshman Jenna Horton finished with 14 digs.
 
Pacific Union: The Lions dropped their opening match of the year to Pacific Union, losing 20-25, 23-25, 25-10 and 22-25. Batoon was the offensive power for MU, recording 10 kills while Kam and Halverson added eight kills apiece.
 
Rhodes led the team with 18 assists and added 10 digs while Horton finished with a team high 16 digs.
 
Horton was a stud today, passing nails and coming up with some huge digs in each match. Kam and Halverson were also automatic on serve-receive. We were particularly impressed with Keane today who made great decisions at the net setting front row," continued Coach Bouey, "It was a day of great effort and heart. We're proud of the girls!"