SALEM, Ore.  – The Bushnell Beach Volleyball team capped of the regular season in a big way on Saturday, taking a 5-0 sweep over Northwest University.
 
The win was the first sweep in school history and gives Bushnell (7-8) some momentum heading into the CalPac/Cascade Qualifying tournament in two weeks. Head Coach Kim Elgarico said, "I am so proud of this whole team finishing the season with a win and every pair showing growth and resilience through all of the obstacles thrown at them. Coming out with a sweep over again team that beat us twice last weekend proves that they just keep getting better. 
 
The win did not come easy as the first two pairs in action, Madi Trueblood and Roslyn McLellan in the second flight and Halle Neumann and Laci Jespersen in the fourth flight, needed to come from behind after dropping their first sets.
 
Trueblood said, "Today was a great opportunity to build momentum and confidence heading into the tournament and each pair capitalized on that challenge. We proved that we can keep our composure and play clean despite the weather, which will be a key factor in Chula Vista. I am super proud of my teammates for showing up and playing gritty volleyball today."
 
Anessa Stotts and Megan Netter clinched the victory when they won the No. 5 flight. For Netter, it was her first career victory. Stotts said, "I am so proud of our pairs for pushing through the hail and rain to get the sweep! We are excited to travel to the tournament and bring home more wins."
 
Bushnell University 5, Northwest University 0
1. Makenna Northern/Logan Kaneshiro (BU) def. Kelsey Moore/Carlee Rowell (NU) 21-19, 21-18
2. Madi Trueblood/Roslyn McLellan (BU) def. Allie Flynn/Kaitlyn Mickle (NU) 17-21, 21-12, 15-13
3. Brooke Silvernail/Jadeya Hayes (BU) def. Madelynn Culp/Morgan Harter (NU) 21-11, 14-21, 15-12
4. Halle Neumann/Laci Jespersen (BU) def. Caitlyn James/Masa Spela Jarc (NU) 18-21, 21-13, 15-9
5. Anessa Stotts/Megan Netter (BU) def. Delaney Sparks/Ellie Van Berkum (NU) 25-23, 18-21, 15-13
Order of finish: (2,4,5,1,3);
 
The California Pacific Conference/Cascade Collegiate Conference group qualifying tournament begins on April 6 in Chula Vista, California. Bushnell, currently ranked fourth in the group and receiving votes in the NAIA National Poll, will wait to see what their seed will be for the tournament. "All of the hard work and dedication is exactly what we need to prepare for the road to Cal Pac and I can't wait to show what we can do," said Elgarico. "We would not be here without our assistant coaches and our senior leaders and the effort they have put in this year."