By Sara Brooks, Assistant Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6219

OLYMPIA, WASH. -- The Willamette University volleyball team defeated Evergreen State College in straight sets on Monday, Sept. 7, 25-18, 25-12, 25-17. The Bearcats hit .227 for the match compared to Evergreen's -.056 hitting percentage.

Willamette started off strong, taking the lead 10-7 in the first set and never looking back. The Bearcats closed out the first set with consecutive kills by Julie Stutzman (MH, Jr., Olympia, WA/Olympia HS) and Jessie McGraw (OH, Sr., Gaston, OR/Corban College).

The second set was tied at 10-10 before the Bearcats went on their biggest run of the season. WU scored seven straight points, giving the 'Cats a commanding lead at 17-11. Molly Blankenship (Jr., OH, Spokane, WA/Spokane CC) served during the run and tallied three aces.

Nicole Mertens (OH, Fr., Olympia, WA/Olympia HS) and Danica Reed (Fr., OH, Arvada, CO/Arvada HS) recorded consecutive kills during the Willamette run. The Bearcats closed out the second set on a serving ace by Mertens for the 25-12 win.

WU dominated the third set, leading by eight points at multiple times throughout the set. Kellie Menghini (L, So., Anchorage, AK/South Anchorage HS) provided Willamette with solid serving. Blankenship recorded three kills in the final set to help the Bearcats claim the victory in straight sets.

The victory was a team effort for the Bearcats who had ten different players record at least one kill. Blankenship led the way for Willamette with six kills. She also recorded three aces and four digs.

Brigit Miller (Fr., S, Olympia, WA/Olympia HS) provided the Bearcats with 18 assists and three digs in the match. Her sets helped Willamette achieve a .227 hitting percentage. WU achieved 33 kills on 88 attempts while recording just 13 errors.

Evergreen State managed just 18 kills and had 23 attacking errors. Jazzmin Evans led the Geoducks with seven kills. Kaylani Evans added four kills and four digs.

Willamette moves to 2-4 on season while Evergreen falls to 0-8. The Bearcats will face Warner Pacific College at home on Sept. 12. The match is set to begin at 7 p.m. (PDT) at Cone Field House.