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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University volleyball was defeated by the visiting University of Puget Sound Loggers, 3-1 on Saturday, Sept. 26. Puget Sound claimed the first two sets 25-16 and 25-15. The Bearcats clawed their way back in the third set to notch a 25-21 victory. However, the Loggers won the fourth set 25-21 and took the match.

After battling Puget Sound through the first two sets, Willamette opened up the third set with a strong start. Three straight points by Willamette, including a serving ace by Molly Blankenship (OH, Jr./Priest River, ID/Spokane Falls CC) gave WU a 5-1 lead and forced UPS to call timeout.

Puget Sound fought back to eventually tie the score at 20-20 before Willamette rattled off four aces in the final five points. Blankenship provided the first two saves and Kathy Lee Glenn (L/Fr., Murrieta, CA/Vista Murrieta HS) finished off the set with consecutive aces.

Willamette kept the fourth set close throughout, but eventually lost the set and the match. Annika Moffett (OP/So., Portland, OR/Lincoln HS) provided the Bearcats with two aces during the fourth set.

For the game, Willamette recorded 38 kills and 15 aces. Blankenship led the way with 10 kills and four aces. Jaci Abeloe (OPP, Fr., Medford, OR/North Medford HS) added eight kills. Freshman Danica Reed (OH, Arvada, CO/Arvada HS) chipped in three kills and three aces of her own. Glenn led all players with 17 digs and recorded five aces.

Puget Sound was led by Brynn Blickenstaff, who recorded 16 kills, six service aces and eight digs. Blickenstaff achieved a .406 hitting percentage. Bre Boyce added 11 kills and Kalli Kamphaus provided 10. Stephanie Harvey earned 34 assists for the Loggers.

Willamette fell to 4-8 overall and to 1-3 in the Northwest Conference. Puget Sound moved to 9-3 overall, 3-1 in the NWC. Puget Sound was ranked #15 in the nation entering the weekend.

The Bearcats are back in action on Sept. 30 at Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore. Match time is set for 7 p.m. (PDT). Linfield is currently 6-5 overall and 2-2 in the NWC.