Women's Volleyball

2011-12 Volleyball News

  • Stanford All-America Selection Erik Shoji to be Guest Coach at Volleyball Camps
    June 08, 2012
    SALEM, ORE. -- Erik Shoji, who earned First Team All-American honors all four years as a men's volleyball libero at Stanford University, will be a guest coach at the Willamette University setter/libero/defensive clinic on June 25-26 and the advanced skills volleyball camp set for June 27-29.
  • Arthur Named Collegiate Coach of the Year by Salem Sports and Breakfast Club
    June 03, 2012
    SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University women's soccer Head Coach Hillary Arthur has been chosen as the 2011-12 Chuck Bowles Collegiate Coach of the Year by the Salem Sports and Breakfast Club. She received the award at the organization's annual awards breakfast on Friday, June 1 at the Cat Cavern on the Willamette campus.
  • Waltz and Leenstra are Chosen Honorable Mention All-NWC
    November 09, 2011
    SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University volleyball players Shannon Waltz (So., MH, Honolulu, HI/La Pietra HS) and Madisyn Leenstra (Jr., MH/OH, Bellingham, WA/Sehome HS) have been named Honorable Mention All-Northwest Conference in voting by the league's head coaches.
  • Skelly Chosen First Team Academic All-District VIII for Second Year in a Row
    November 08, 2011
    SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University senior midfielder Stephanie Skelly (Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap HS) has been chosen First Team Capital One NCAA Division III Academic All-District VIII in women's soccer for the 2011 season. It is the second consecutive year that Skelly has been named First Team Academic All-District in voting by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
  • Whitman Downs Bearcats, 4-1, in Women's Soccer
    November 05, 2011
    SALEM, ORE. -- Whitman College poured in four goals in the second half to defeat Willamette University, 4-1, on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Sparks Field. The Missionaries led 2-0 on a pair of goal by Amy Hasson, before Stephanie Skelly (Sr., MF, Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap HS) scored for the Bearcats at 72:37. Whitman added goals at 76:56 and 83:42 to pull away.
  • Willamette Falls to Puget Sound in Season Finale, 3-0
    November 05, 2011
    SALEM, ORE.- The University of Puget Sound earned 34 kills in a three-set sweep of Willamette University in a Northwest Conference women's volleyball matchup on Saturday, Nov. 5. Willamette ends their season at 8-17 (5-11 NWC). With the win, UPS moves to 18-6 (10-6 NWC).
  • Bearcats Defeat Pirates, 2-0, Clinch at Least Third Place in NWC
    November 04, 2011
    SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University broke open a scoreless game with two goals in the final 24 minutes, as the Bearcats picked up a key Northwest Conference victory, 2-0, over visiting Whitworth University on Friday, Nov. 4 at Sparks Field. Maddy Grainger (Jr., MF/D, Salt Lake City, UT/West HS) and Ariel Wilson (Jr., MF, Fort Collins, CO/Poudre HS) scored the goals for Willamette.
  • Pacific Pulls Away to Defeat Willamette, 3-1
    November 04, 2011
    FOREST GROVE, ORE. - Pacific University earned 56 total kills and hit .238 as a team, as the Boxers defeated Willamette University 3-1 in a Northwest Conference women's volleyball match on Friday, Nov. 4. With the win, the Boxers improve to 13-11 (7-8 NWC). The Bearcats fall to 8-16 (5-10 NWC).  Pacific won the match, 25-15, 26-24, 19-25, 25-18. Four Boxers finished the match with double digit kills. Kelsy Takashima and Haley Bedell each earned 13 kills, while Mariah McHolland and Keahi Braginsky-Ahloo both recorded 11 kills. Pacific also played tight defensively, holding Willamette to a team hitting percentage of .157 and posting 14 block assists. Willamette was once again led by Danica Reed (Jr., OH, Arvada, CO/Ralston Valley HS) and Madisyn Leenstra (Jr., MH/OH, Bellingham, WA/Sehome HS), who both notched 11 kills during the match. Emily Compton (So, S, Portola, CA/Portola HS/Boise State Univ.) led the Bearcats with 35 assists. Kathy Lee Glenn (Jr., LIB/DS, Murrieta, CA/Vista Murrieta HS) topped Willamette in digs with 18. Reed provided 13 digs for the Bearcats. Pacific came out quickly, winning the first two sets of the match. The Boxers started set #1 on a 12-4 run and didn't look back, never letting Willamette within six points en route to a 25-15 victory. Conversely, the second set never had more than a 3-point lead for either team. The Bearcats and Boxers traded the lead eight times throughout the set. Willamette earned a set point at 24-23 with a kill from Shannon Waltz (So., MH, Honolulu, HI/La Pietra High School) and an attacking error from Braginsky-Ahloo. However, Pacific scored the next three points on a Bearcat service error and two consecutive kills from Takashima to go up 2-0 in the match. Facing a sweep, Willamette battled back in the third set. After leading 8-6, the Bearcats went on a 10-2 run, including seven straight serves from Reed. The Bearcats went on to win the game, 25-19. With a chance to even the match score in the fourth set, Willamette kept at the Boxers' heels all the way to a 16-16 tie. Pacific scored the next six points to take a 22-16 lead, thanks in part to a service error, two attacking errors, and a blocking error by the Bearcats. Pacific won the set 25-18, sealing the victory, 3-1. Willamette will now return home to play its season finale tomorrow night (Sat., Nov. 5) against the University of Puget Sound. Match time is set for 7 p.m. (PDT).
  • Leenstra and Reed Combine for 37 Kills, as Bearcats Down Pioneers, 3-1
    October 29, 2011
    SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University had three players record double-digit kills Saturday night as the defeated Lewis & Clark 3-1 in a Northwest Conference women's volleyball matchup. With the win, the Bearcats move to 8-15 (5-9 NWC). The Pioneers drop to 13-11 (9-5 NWC).
  • George Fox Downs Willamette, 3-1, after Bearcats Tie Match
    October 28, 2011
    SALEM, ORE. -- George Fox University notched 40 kills in just four sets to defeat Willamette University, 3-1, in a Northwest Conference volleyball match on Friday, October 28 at Cone Field House. George Fox improved its record to 9-14 (4-10 NWC) while Willamette fell to 8-14 (4-9 NWC).
  • Bearcats Fall to #24-Ranked Whitworth, 3-0, in Spokane
    October 22, 2011
    SPOKANE, WASH. -- Whitworth University, ranked #24 in the NCAA Division III National Poll, defeated Willamette University, 3-0, in Northwest Conference volleyball action on Saturday, Oct. 22. The Pirates advanced their record to 16-5 on the season and retained a two-match lead in the NWC standings with an 11-1 mark. Willamette dropped to 7-14 overall, 4-8 in the NWC.
  • Whitman Downs Willamette in Four Sets
    October 21, 2011
    WALLA WALLA, WASH. -- The Whitman College volleyball team played well on its home court on Friday, Oct. 21, as the Missionaries defeated Willamette University, 3-1, at the Sherwood Center. Whitman won the match, 25-15, 25-20, 21-25, 25-13.
  • Pacific Lutheran Rolls Past Bearcats, 3-0, as Lutes Improve to 15-3
    October 14, 2011
    SALEM, ORE. -- Pacific Lutheran University swept past Willamette University, 25-15, 25-15, 25-15, on Friday, Oct. 14 at Cone Field House, as the Lutes hit .238, earned nine service aces and produced 10.0 team total blocks. PLU improved to 15-3 overall, 7-2 in the Northwest Conference, while recording its 11th 3-0 victory of the season. Willamette dropped to 7-12 overall, 4-6 in the NWC.
  • Willamette Sweeps Linfield, 25-21, 25-22, 25-21
    October 12, 2011
    McMINNVILLE, ORE. -- Willamette University hitters Carly Hargrave (So., MH, Happy Valley, OR/Clackamas HS) and Madisyn Leenstra (Jr., MH/OH, Bellingham, WA/Sehome HS) came out attacking and blocking against Linfield College on Wednesday, Oct. 12, as the duo led the Bearcats to a three-set sweep of the Wildcats in Northwest Conference volleyball action. Hargrave pounded out nine kills and had no attacking errors, while also providing four total blocks. Leenstra blasted nine kills and had three blocks.
  • Skelly Scores Twice in Final Six Minutes, as Bearcats Rally Over Whitman, 2-1
    October 08, 2011
    WALLA WALLA, WASH. -- Senior midfielder Stephanie Skelly (Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap HS) entered Willamette University's game on Saturday, Oct. 8 as the Bearcats' leading scorer with six goals on the season. In Saturday's game against Whitman College, she continued to lead the offense, tallying two goals in the final 5:12 as Willamette rallied for a 2-1 win.
  • 19th-Ranked Puget Sound Defeats Willamette in Three Sets
    October 08, 2011
    TACOMA, WASH. -- The University of Puget Sound, ranked #19 in NCAA Division III, defeated visiting Willamette University, 3-0, in a Northwest Conference match on Saturday, Oct. 8. The Loggers upped their record to 14-2 overall, including 6-2 in the NWC. Willamette dropped to 6-11 overall, 3-5 in the NWC.
  • Pacific and Bearcats Battle for Five Sets; Boxers Win 3-2
    October 07, 2011
    SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University battled back from a 1-0 deficit by winning the second and third sets, but Pacific University claimed the fourth and fifth sets, as the Boxers defeated the Bearcats, 3-2, in Northwest Conference volleyball action on Friday, Oct 7. Both teams played well for most of the match at Cone Field House, with each squad showing offensive success. Pacific hit .251 for the night, while Willamette hit .198.
  • Skelly is Named NWC Women's Soccer Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week
    October 05, 2011
    SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University senior midfielder Stephanie Skelly (Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap HS) has been chosen Northwest Conference Women's Soccer Offensive Student-Athlete of the week for her efforts in the week ending on Sunday, Oct. 2.
  • Willamette Women's Soccer Team is Ranked #10 in the West Region
    October 04, 2011
    SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University women's soccer team has moved into the West Region Rankings for NCAA Division III as compiled by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). The Bearcats are ranked #10 in the West Region this week after picking up two Northwest Conference victories over the weekend.
  • Skelly Nets Two Goals, Helps Willamette Shut Out George Fox, 4-0
    October 02, 2011
    SALEM, ORE. -- Senior midfielder Stephanie Skelly (Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap HS) picked a great moment to give her team a lift, as she scored with 20 seconds left in the first half to give Willamette University a 1-0 lead and momentum in a Northwest Conference women's soccer game against George Fox University on Sunday, Oct. 2. WU took the momentum and added three goals in the second half -- including another strike by Skelly -- to shut out the Bruins, 4-0, at Sparks Field.
  • Bearcats Edge Past Pacific, 2-1, Improve to 3-1-1 in NWC
    October 01, 2011
    SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University trailed 1-0, but scored twice before halftime and shut out visiting Pacific University in the second half, as the Bearcats defeated the Boxers, 2-1, on Saturday, Oct. 1. The win by the Bearcats at Sparks Field was a key early Northwest Conference result. Willamette improved to 3-1-1 in the NWC, while Pacific fell to 2-2-1 in the conference.
  • Willamette Wins Volleyball Match at Lewis & Clark, 3-1
    October 01, 2011
    PORTLAND, ORE. -- Madisyn Leenstra (Jr., MH/OH, Bellingham, WA/Sehome HS) pounded out a match-high 21 kills and Willamette University won the key points in the final three sets, as the Bearcats defeated Lewis & Clark College, 3-1, on Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Pamplin Sports Complex.
  • George Fox Downs Bearcats, 3-1, in NWC Match
    September 30, 2011
    NEWBERG, ORE. -- George Fox University pounded out 50 kills in four sets, as the Bruins defeated visiting Willamette University, 3-1, in a Northwest Conference volleyball match on Friday, Sept. 30 at the Wheeler Sports Center. GFU upped its record to 7-8 overall, 2-4 in the NWC, while Willamette fell to 5-9 overall, 2-3 in the NWC.
  • Whitworth Stays Unbeaten in NWC with 3-0 Win over Willamette
    September 24, 2011
    SALEM, ORE. -- Whitworth University earned 40 kills and a .392 team attack percentage, as the Pirates remained undefeated in the Northwest Conference with a 3-0 victory over Willamette University at Cone Field House on Saturday, Sept. 24. Whitworth won 25-11, 25-19, 25-12.
  • Bearcats Use Depth to Rally Over Whitman in Five Sets
    September 23, 2011
    SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University volleyball team put nearly its entire lineup to good use on Friday, Sept. 23 against Whitman College, as the Bearcats overcame a slow start to defeat the Missionaries, 3-2, in Northwest Conference action. Willamette lost by a large margin in the first set, before battling its way to a 9-25, 25-20, 20-25, 25-23, 15-10 victory.
  • Pacific Lutheran Defeats Bearcats to Improve to 8-1
    September 16, 2011
    TACOMA, WASH. -- Nationally ranked Pacific Lutheran University defeated Willamette University, 3-0, in Northwest Conference volleyball action on Friday, Sept. 16. The Lutes edged out the Bearcats in two close sets to begin the match before winning, 25-23, 25-21, 25-16.
  • Willamette Slips Past Rivals from Linfield, 3-2, in NWC Opener
    September 14, 2011
    SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University outlasted Linfield College in a five-set opener to the 2011 Northwest Conference schedule, as the Bearcats defeated the Wildcats, 3-2, on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at Cone Field House. Willamette won 20-25, 25-18, 25-16, 21-25, 15-12.
  • Bearcats are Defeated by La Verne, Move Past Redlands, at Posada Royale Invitational
    September 10, 2011
    THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF. -- Willamette University lost to the University of Laverne, 3-0, but rallied past the University of Redlands, 3-1, on the final day of the Posada Royale Volleyball Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 10 at California Lutheran University. The split left Willamette with a 3-6 overall record, including 3-1 in the tournament.
  • Bearcats Lose to Occidental, California Lutheran at Posada Royale Invitational
    September 09, 2011
    THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF. -- Willamette University lost to Occidental College (Calif.) and to California Lutheran University on Friday, Sept. 9, during the first day of the Posada Royale Volleyball Invitational, hosted by California Lutheran. The losses dropped the Bearcats to 2-5 on the season.
  • Willamette Defeats Northwest Christian in Five Sets
    September 07, 2011
    SALEM, ORE. -- Led by double-digit kill totals from Nicole Mertens (Jr., OH, Olympia, WA/Olympia HS) and Madisyn Leenstra (Jr., MH/OH, Bellingham, WA/Sehome HS) the Willamette University Bearcats defeated visiting Northwest Christian University, 3-2, at Cone Field House on Wednesday, Sept. 7. Mertens topped the Bearcats with 14 kills and Leenstra achieved 12.
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