PORTLAND – The Multnomah University volleyball team strung together what could be their most impressive effort in program history on Thursday, defeating NCAA DII Concordia (Ore.) 3-2 in an exhibition match on Jim Skagen Court.
THE BASICS:
Final: Concordia (Ore.) 2, Multnomah 3 [25-27, 26-24, 14-25, 25-21, 15-13]
Records: CU (0-0), MU (0-0)
Location: Jim Skagen Court I Portland, Ore.
GAME SUMMARY:
- -In a game that went back and forth, the Lions started on top, using an early 8-3 run to pull ahead 10-5 over the visitors.
- -The Cavaliers regained the lead later in the set, scoring four straight points to go up 21-20 before sealing set one with the final two points.
- -In set two, the Lions saw an early lead diminish after another rally by Concordia. Down 24-23, MU fought off a set point with kills by Miranda Halverson and Sydney Amundsen before an attacking error by CU evened the match.
- -MU struggled in the third set as Concordia tallied four straight points on four different occasions, taking the lead two sets to one after winning set three 25-14.
- -The Lions bounced back in set number four, using a 7-1 run to gain the lead 16-13 and holding on to the lead for the remainder of the set, capped off by a kill from Halverson.
- -MU proved resilient once again in the fifth and final set, overcoming a 5-1 deficit with a 9-3 run.
- -Leading 13-12, Halverson received a ball from fellow senior Marissa Rhodes, earning another kill before a kill by Hannah Snyder earned the Lions the victory.
KEY PERFORMERS:
- -The senior duo of Halverson and Rhodes was stronger than ever as Halverson tallied a match high 19 kills while Rhodes finished with 41 assists to lead both squads.
- -Also contributing on the offense was Snyder with 10 kills and Amundsen with 9 kills.
- -Emily Weidlich led MU in the back court, collecting 21 digs while Alyssa Mehalovich and Halverson had 16 and 15 digs respectively.
FROM THE COACH:
"Concordia came out on fire and made it hard for us all match to put the ball away," said Head Coach
Jenna Bouey. "Our defense and serve receive passing really carried us in this match. Alyssa did a great job in her first showing and Miranda was a threat in the front and back rows. It was a great team win."
OUT OF THE BOX:
With the win, the MU volleyball team becomes the first team in school history to defeat an NCAA Division II team in any type of competition.
COMING UP NEXT:
The Lions embark on their first road trip of the season as they travel to Spokane, Wash., for four matches beginning on Friday, Aug. 17.
