By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Natalie Klotz (Jr., OH, Bonner Springs, KS/Bonner Springs HS) led all players with 17 kills, and Willamette University registered 50 kills overall, as the Bearcats swept past Northwest Conference rival Lewis & Clark College, 3-0, on Friday, April 9 at Cone Field House. WU won the match, 25-20, 25-21, 25-20.
The Bearcats, who achieved a .255 hitting percentage during the match, ended the season at 4-4 overall, 4-4 in the NWC. Willamette lost its first four matches, including a 3-0 loss at L&C, but the Bearcats won their last four matches, including the last three by 3-0 scores. The Pioneers concluded their schedule at 5-3 on the season, 5-3 in the NWC.
Willamette seniors Kyana Benjamin (MH, Lubbock, TX/Lubbock HS), Arianna Khan (OH/OPP, Yuba, CA/River Valley HS), and Elena Vasquez (OH, Kingston, WA/North Kitsap HS) all started for the Bearcats. They were honored at Senior Night a week ago, when Willamette defeated Linfield, 3-0.
Klotz was joined in double figures by Khan, who accumulated 11 kills during Friday's match. Khan achieved a .303 hitting percentage and Klotz hit .298. Dani Queja (So., OH, Ewa Beach, HI/Maryknoll School) added eight kills. Vasquez produced six kills and Benjamin was credited with five kills.
Shyla Sato (So., LIB, Honolulu, HI/MId-Pacific Institute) topped the Bearcats with 25 digs, while Khan earned 17 digs, and Queja provided 13 digs. Setter Emma Porter (S, Honolulu, HI/Mid-Pacific Institute) supplied WU with 39 assists and 11 digs.
Klotz pounded out 127 kills and averaged 4.1 kills per set this year. In three seasons with the Bearcats, she has contributed 623 kills and 513 digs
Kelsey Parker finished with a team-high nine kills for Lewis & Clark to go along with 17 assists and two block assists. Makena Ohlmaier tacked on eight kills, while Michelle McGinn recorded 23 assists and 13 digs. Ka'anelaokapu'uwai Pakaki-Pias led the Pioneers with 22 digs.
Willamette limited L&C to 31 kills and a .123 hitting percentage. The Bearcats held an 85-79 advantage in digs.
Klotz registered eight kills in the first set. Willamette zoomed out to a 10-1 lead with Porter serving the final eight points of the run. WU moved in front 2-1 on a kill by Vasquez, then added four consecutive kills by Klotz and another kill from Vasquez. The run continued with an attacking error by L&C, a service ace by Porter, and a kill by Klotz.
L&C pulled within 11-6 on a combination block by Parker and Emma Ehlers. Willamette answered with combo block by Khan and Vasquez that started a 9-2 run for a 20-8 margin. WU also led 24-17 before L&C scored on three consecutive rallies with kills by Ehlers and Ohlmaier, plus a service ace from Katie Shimaura. Queja provided the final point of the set on a kill, as Willamette won 25-20.
The Bearcats took a 4-1 lead in the second set behind three kills from Klotz. A bit later, WU held a 9-4 advantage following a kill by Queja. The Pioneers reduced the deficit to 11-10 on a service ace by Ohmaier, and also cut the lead to one point two more times at 12-11 and 13-12, but the Bearcats added the next two points on a kill by Vasquez and a kill from Khan. WU also led 20-16 and 24-19. Lewis & Clark moved within 24-21 two points later on a Willamette attacking error, but a kill by Khan gave the Bearcats a 25-21 victory.
Lewis & Clark surged out to a 6-1 margin in the third set behind strong serving from Izzy Willis, who scored the first point on a kill and earned two aces during the run. The Bearcats eventually tied the Pioneers at 9-9 on a kill from Queja. The teams continued to battle, with L&C taking leads of 14-12 and 15-13, and Willamette leading 16-15.
The teams were tied at 17-17 before a 5-1 run gave WU a 22-18 advantage. A kill by Willis pulled L&C within three points, but a combo block by Benjamin and Porter, followed by a kill from Klotz, resulted in the Bearcats grabbing a 24-19 edge. L&C scored the next point, but Klotz ended the match with a kill.
Benjamin finished her career with 166 kills and 87 total blocks. Khan recorded 283 career kills and 319 career digs. Vasquez, who arrived at WU as a libero and defensive specialist before moving to middle hitter this season, amassed 766 digs (3.72 avg. per set) and 69 service aces during her career.