By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Led by a balanced attack, Willamette University volleyball won two matches in three sets each, on the first day of the Molten Classic on Friday, Sept. 6 at Colorado College.

The Bearcats downed Bridgewater College (Va.), 25-15, 25-17, 25-23, and moved past Lakeland College, 25-15, 25-17, 25-20. Willamette earned a .257 hitting percentage against Bridgewater and hit .247 against Lakeland.

Sarah Fincher (So., OH, Reno, NV/Bishop Manogue/Southwest Baptist Univ.) achieved 10 kills against Bridgewater. Shannon Waltz (Sr., MH, Honolulu, HI/La Petra School for Girls) added eight kills, while Carly Hargrave (Sr., MH, Happy Valley, OR/Clackamas HS) earned six and Alida Holt (Fr., OH, Honolulu, HI/Roosevelt HS) finished with five.

Fincher registered a .381 hitting percentage and supplied seven digs versus the Eagles. Hargrave attained a .357 hitting percentage and led the Bearcats with six total blocks. Emily Compton (Sr., S, Portola, CA/Portola HS/Boise State Univ.) set up the offense with 28 assists, while Lizzy Balding (Sr., LIB/DS, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) paced the defense with 10 digs.

For Bridgewater, Katie Long pounded out 10 kills, hit .304 and earned three block assists. Megann Grimes amassed six kills and a team-high four block assists. Mara Hogan was credited with 13 digs, and Lindsay Kallam ended the match with 25 assists.

In the win over Lakeland, Fincher provided WU with nine kills. Hargrave and Kirsten Brehmer (Sr., MH/OPP, Evergreen, CO/Evergreen HS) each tallied seven kills, while Waltz contributed six and Lindsey Compton (So., OH/S, Portola, CA/Portola HS/Univ. of Hartford) tacked on five.

Emily Compton averaged just over 10 assists per set against the Muskies, as she dished out 31 during the three sets. Balding topped the defensive effort with 13 digs, while Hargrave supplied four service aces.

Waltz hit .417 against Lakeland and also ended the match with four total blocks. Hargrave (.294), Fincher (.286) and Lindsey Compton (.278) added to the success of WU's attack.

Lakeland received six kills from Amanda Dillman. Brittany Reindl led all players with five service aces, while Caleigh Galvan earned a match-high 15 digs.

Willamette attained 9.0 team total blocks against Bridgewater and 8.0 team total blocks versus Lakeland. The defense at the net, helped limit Bridgewater to a .040 hitting percentage and led to Lakeland finishing with a negative hitting percentage at -.009. The Muskies had 25 kills and 26 attacking errors on 100 attacks.

Colorado College also swept matches with Bridgewater and Lakeland on Friday. After one day of the Molten Classic, Willamette and Colorado College are 2-0, while Bridgewater and Lakeland are 0-2.

The Bearcats will take on host Colorado College, ranked #17 in the NCAA Division III Poll released by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 12 p.m. (MDT)/11 a.m. (PDT). Willamette will then play in the third place match at 2 p.m. (MDT) or in the championship match at 4 p.m. (MDT).