BOX SCORE
EUGENE, Ore. – The Bushnell Beach Volleyball team dropped their season opener on Friday as they hosted the start of the Cascade Conference season, falling to Northwest University in a close 3-2 contest.
"I am proud of our team today," said Head Coach
Kim Elgarico. "We got our first-game jitters out and we learned a lot. It wasn't a surprise to see our two experience pairs, that played together last season, were able to get wins for us today. We are excited for tommorow's matches and confident we can put together a solid performance."
Northwest 3, (RV) Bushnell 2
1. Caitlin James/Kylie Lunday (NU) def.
Kate Palelek/
Makenna Mosher (BU) 22-20, 21-13
2. Masa Spela Jarc/Aubree Dees (NU) def.
Olivia Kelzenberg/
Jazmyn Wilcox (BU) 21-12, 21-10
3.
Anessa Stotts/
Jadeya Hayes (BU) def. Kylie Rankins/Elle VanBerkum (NU) 21-18, 23-21
4.
Laci Jespersen/
Sydney Myhre (BU) def. Sophy Rice/Ariana Muliaga (NU) 21-9, 21-17
5. Ava Hoy/Kali Dransfeldt (NU) def.
Monet Panther/
Haley Engelbrecht (BU) 12-21, 22-20, 18-16
Ex. Hannah Brunston/Reagan Walker (BU) def. Charlize Katz/Kylie Micole Guadjo (NU) 21-17, 14-21, 15-10
It was a dramatic back-and-fourth day for the Beacons, who were able to tie the match each time Northwest too a lead. After NU's Masa Spela Jarc and Aubree Dees won at the No. 2 pair,
Laci Jespersen and
Sydney Myhre (pictured) answered for the Beacons at the No. 4 flight.
The Eagles to a 2-1 lead with a win at No. 1 for Caitlin James and Kylie Lunday, with Bushnell responding at the No. 3 pair with a win for veteran duo
Anessa Stotts and
Jadeya Hayes.
"It was so much fun to play in this amazing weather," said Stotts. "Jade and I were so happy to bring in a win for the team."
Hayes added, "Great day for our first match. It really allowed us to see how we stacked up against the competition."
The match came down to No. 5 flight to and Bushnell's
Monet Panther and
Haley Engelbrecht set the tone with a 21-12 win in the opening set. For the Eagles, however, Eva Hoy and Kali Dransfeldt rallied to claim the second and third sets in extra points to clinch the victory for their team.
Bushnell, currently receiving votes in the NAIA national coaches poll, returns to action on Saturday morning with two more matches, taking on Northwest University again at 10:00 am before facing No. 10 College of Idaho at 12:00 pm.
