By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

HOUSTON, Texas -- Olivia Cadien (So., OH, Mesa, AZ/Chandler Preparatory Academy) of Willamette University led the Bearcats by recording 14 kills in a five-set loss to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (Ind.), and added eight kills in a three-set loss to Texas Lutheran University, on Friday, Sept. 2 during the first day of the St. Thomas Tournament at the Jerabeck Activity and Athletic Center. Willamette ended the day at 0-2 on the season. Rose-Hulman was 1-0 after edging the Bearcats, while Texas Lutheran improved to 3-0.

In the match against Rose-Hulman, Willamette took a 2-0 lead by winning the first two sets 25-21 and 25-16, before the Engineers rallied with wins of 25-19, 26-24, and 15-8. Against Texas Lutheran, the Bearcats fell 25-16, 29-27, 25-11.

Cadien was joined in double-figure kills by Dani Queja (Sr., OH, Ewa Beach, HI/Maryknoll School) in the match with Rose-Hulman, as the Bearcats earned 40 kills overall. Emma Porter (Sr., S, Honolulu, HI/Mid-Pacific Institute) provided 23 assists, 10 digs, and six kills, while Shyla Sato (Sr., LIB, Honolulu, HI/Mid-Pacific Institute) contributed 23 digs. Steele Jasa (Jr., DS/S, Bend, OR/Summit HS) added 15 digs, Queja registered 14 digs, and Cadien equalled Porter with 10 digs. Queja achieved four service aces, and Sato accumulated three aces.

Allie Fults topped the Engineers with 13 kills and a .464 hitting percentage. Sophia Koop tacked on 11 kills, with Megan Korte supplying 10 kills. Sophia Harrison was credited with 24 assists and four service aces for Rose-Hulman. Lily Ebright led the RHIT defense with 25 digs.

Against Texas Lutheran, Cadien's eight kills were followed by five kills from Queja. Porter amassed 13 assists and a team-high 10 digs, while Sato earned nine digs. Five Bearcats each recorded one service ace.

The Bulldogs were led by Emily Mixon, who registered seven kills and hit .333. Maddy Schult produced six kills and Moehrig Tanyse added five kills. Lexi Morris helped the Bulldogs with 11 digs and two service aces. Shavonne Respondek finished with a team-high nine assists and a team-high five service aces. TLU totaled 12 aces overall.

The Bearcats will conclude the tournament with a pair of matches on Saturday, Sept. 3. Willamette will take on the University of St. Thomas (Texas) at 12 p.m. CDT/10 a.m. PDT and will battle East Texas Baptist University at 3 p.m. CDT/1 p.m. PDT.