By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

FOREST GROVE, Ore. -- Pacific University defeated Willamette University, 25-21, 25-20, 25-17, in a Northwest Conference volleyball match at the Stoller Center on Friday, Nov. 5. Olivia Cadien (Fy., OH, Mesa, AZ/Chandler Preparatory Academy) led Willamette by pounding 14 kills, while Shyla Sato (Jr., LIB, Honolulu, HI/Mid-Pacific Institute) earned 16 digs.

Also for Willamette, Emma Porter (Jr., S, Honolulu, HI/Mid-Pacific Institute) provided four kills, a .571 hitting percentage, and 25 assists. Kaitlyn Westby (Fy., MH, Redmond, WA/Eastside Catholic HS) contributed five kills, a .417 hitting percentage, and a match-high four block assists.

The Boxers improved to 8-11 on the season, 8-7 in the NWC. Willamette slipped to 8-12 overall and to 5-10 in the NWC.

Mara Murphy paced the Boxers with 13 kills to go with eight digs. Carissa Ramirez chipped in with nine kills and a .615 hitting percentage. Elika Unti was credited with seven kills, while Haley Walz earned 19 digs. Shaianne Cambra accumulated 33 assists.

Pacific concluded the match with a 38-33 margin in kills. The Boxers held a slim lead in digs with a 46-44 advantage. Willamette finished with 6.0 team total blocks, and Pacific attained 5.0 team total blocks.

Willamette led 5-3 in the first set following a service ace by Sato. Pacific scored the next six points, including three kills by Unti, to grab a 9-5 lead. A bit later, the Boxers were in front 14-9 and 21-14, but Willamette continued to battle. The Bearcats eventually pulled within 22-20 after two consecutive kills by Ana James (Jr., OPP, Imperial Beach, CA/Mar Vista HS). Ramirez answered with two kills to give the Boxers a 24-20 lead. Porter added a kill for Willamette, before Murphy registered a kill for Pacific to end the set.

In the second set, WU claimed leads of 3-1 and 4-3, and the teams were tied at 6-6. The Boxers used a 3-0 run for a 9-6 advantage. WU moved as close as 13-11 on a kill by Cadien and 16-14 following an attacking error by the Boxers, but couldn't get closer. Another 3-0 run put Pacific's lead at 19-16. The Boxers won the set, 25-20.

The Bearcats earned three of the first four points in the third set, but Pacific responded with an 8-0 surge. The run featured two aces by Chloe Elmore and two kills from Murphy. Willamette trailed by four points at 16-12, before Pacific completed the set with a 9-5 run for a 25-17 win.

Willamette will play its final match of the season on Saturday, Nov. 6 at Cone Field House. It will be Senior Night for the Bearcats as they take on the University of Puget Sound. Match time is scheduled for 6 p.m. (PDT).