EUGENE, Ore. – Fighting back after dropping the first two sets, the No. 20-ranked Bushnell University volleyball team pulled off an improbable 3-2 victory over Walla Walla University on Friday night, 27-29, 22-25, 26-24, 25-19, 15-11.
 
Bushnell (17-10, 11-6 CCC) did what so many have had difficulty with this year, completing a season sweep over the upstart Wolves (12-8, 10-7) who are currently receiving votes in the NAIA national coaches poll and until Friday were tied with the Beacons for fourth-place in the Cascade Conference.
 
Head Coach Jason Corwin said, "What a team win this was! I am so proud of how we handled adversity, stayed confident, and kept competing. They did such a good job of problem solving on the floor and in timeouts."
 
One of the keys to victory for Bushnell was keeping WWU setter Yaimaris Garcia from controlling the game at the service line. The NAIA's national leader in Aces was held to just two over five sets and had five service errors as the Beacons were able to counter her intimidating strength and speed.
 
"There are so many things to highlight from this match," said Corwin, "but I want to put the spotlight on Ashlyn Tai. She went in to help us handle Garcia and she also hit us out of that rotation all match. I am so proud of the way she stepped up tonight."
 
As to be expected in an extended five-set match, the Beacons were able to post some eye-popping numbers across the board on Friday. Leading the way was yet another career-defining performance from senior Hailey Heider who earned the second 20-20 game of her career and just the sixth in school history. She finished with exactly 20 kills and 20 digs, leading the team on both accounts.
 
Teagan Dixon returned to the lineup with 11 kills as she hit .400 and Amyah Semau finished her night with ten kills. Soleil Sands added six kills and six blocks, on her birthday, bringing her block total to 112 on the season. She needs just three more to break a Bushnell single-season record which has stood for six years.
 
"Tonight was nerve wracking at first," said Soliel, "but we turned it around and make it OUR game. I am so blessed to play such a fun game with my teammates on my birthday!"
 
Both Bushnell setters had big nights as well with double-doubles. Emma Fa'alogo collected a team-high 28 assists along with 11 digs while senior Katie Belitz collected 19 assists and 12 digs. "What a game," said Belitz. "We turned it around when we needed to and I am so proud of the way we battled, persevered, and had fun. I am so grateful for this amazing team and the way we didn't give up tonight."
 
The Wolves had some impressive performances in the loss, led by a match-high 21 kills from Sahara Browning. Paula Flores added 18 kills and 14 digs while Garcia finished her night with 48 assists.
 
UP NEXT: The Beacons play their final regular-season road game on Saturday, taking on No. 12 Lewis-Clark State at 4:00 pm.