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Aug. 29, 2009

Box Score

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Outside hitters Megan Amundson (Jr., Stanwood) and Marlayna Geary (Fr., Tacoma/Bellarmine Prep) each posted double-doubles in kills and digs as Western Washington University defeated Ashland University OH, 24-26, 25-21, 25-20, 25-20, in final-day action Saturday at the Southern California Classic.

The Vikings, rated No.23 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association NCAA Division II Preseason Top 25 Poll, improved to 2-1. They close out the tourney tonight at 7 p.m. against Cal State L.A.

"I think we had bursts of good play and when we are able to extend those out a little longer, that's when real maturity will come in," said Western coach Diane Flick.

Amundson tied for match-high honors with 16 kills (.255 attack percentage) and 10 digs, and Geary contributed 13 kills (.211) and 15 digs. Middle blocker Emily Jepsen (So., Kennewick/Kamiakin) had 10 kills and tied setter Laurie Yearout (R-Fr., Spokane/Lewis & Clark) for match high in blocks with five each. Yearout also had 34 assists and 10 digs.

Defensive specialist Haleigh Adkins (So., Puyallup/Rogers) added 13 digs and two service aces, and middle blockers Bailey Jones (Fr., Mukilteo/Kamiak) and Kathryn Mertens (Jr., Olympia) each had four blocks.

Ashland, which fell to 0-3, won the first set despite a furious rally by the Vikings. Trailing 22-17, Western went on a 7-2 run to tie at 24-all, Bailey serving four points, including an ace, and Geary having two kills. But Ashland took a 1-0 lead by scoring the next two points.

In set two, Western trailed 21-17, but scored eight straight points, seven on the serve of Adkins with Amundson contributing five kills, to tie the match at 1-1.

Western controlled the action in the final two sets. In the third set, a 6-1 run spurred by two Jepsen kills gave the Vikings a 21-12 advantage, and in the fourth set, five straight points, four served by Adkins, put them comfortably ahead, 20-12.

On Friday, Western split a pair of matches at the tourney, defeating Cal State Dominguez Hills, 3-1, and being swept by No.2-ranked Cal State San Bernardino.