EUGENE, Ore. – The Bushnell beach volleyball team celebrated seniors Anessa Stotts, Mai Tomlin, and Makenna Mosher on Saturday, ahead of the final match of the season, a 4-1 loss at the hands of the University of Portland.  
 
Laci Jespersen and Sydney Myhre provided the fireworks on the sand in the finale, winning for the tenth time this season to tie their own school record with 10 wins for a second straight year.
 
Monet Panther and Avery Lenssen nearly pulled off a win as well, taking the opening set before playing three at the No. 5 pair.   
 
University of Portland 4, Bushnell University 1 

1. Emily Wood/Annika Stammberger (UP) def. Olivia Kelzenberg/Jazmyn Wilcox (BU) 21-17, 21-13
2. Leonie Freytag/Elin Larsson (UP) def. Makenna Mosher/Reagan Walker (BU) 21-13, 21-15
3. Elizabeth Ortiz/Elena Bullemer (UP) def. Anessa Stotts/Jadeya Hayes (BU) 21-15, 21-7
4. Sydney Myhre/Laci Jespersen (BU) def. Taylor Helle/Valerie Bruk (UP) 21-13, 21-15
5. Hannah Debban/Michela Stati (UP) def. Avery Lenssen/Monet Panther (BU) 9-21, 21-13, 16-14

The Beacons finish out their season at 3-15 overall. They were also 3-12 in the Cascade Collegiate Conference, taking fifth-place. The top four teams qualified for the CCC tournament.
 
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
 
Makenna Mosher - A two-year member of the Bushnell indoor volleyball team after transferring from Bellevue College, Mosher wraps her first season with the Beach program. Mosher picked up her first career win on March 7, partnering with Jadeya Hayes at the No. 2 pair to defeat Simpson's pair in three sets.
 
Head Coach Kim Elgarico said, "Mak is new with us this year.  She instantly blended in and made our day a little lighter.  She learns daily and works very hard to improve.  She knows better than anyone that beach is a whole other beast of volleyball.  I'm so proud of her as she pushes herself daily even when circumstances may be against her. Thank you for hanging with us this year.  We love you and you will be missed."
 
Assistant Coach Dorothy Catanese said, "Makenna came in this season with an open mind and the determination to do right by her partners. Every rep, every drill, every match had the intention of 'how can I be better for my partner, what does my partner need, how can I get there faster for her.' In this sport, players with egos are easy to find and it's refreshing to see someone who is selfless to a fault with her partners and her other teammates. She has made so many strides coming to us from indoor and has brought many needed laughs and vulnerable moments to our huddles this season."
 
Assistant Coach Kara McManus said, "Mak's sense of humor and coachability will be missed. She knows when to buckle down, understanding her limitations and then asking for more reps so she can surpass them. She is a hard-working player who possesses the ability to see the greater good."
 
Anessa Stotts - One of the founding members of Bushnell Beach Volleyball, Stotts is in her fourth season with the Beacons. She has played in every match during her career, giving her a school record with 78 matches played. Her 23 career victories ranks second all-time.
 
Coach Elgarico said, "Anessa is Ness: Good Ness, Kind Ness, Amazing Ness, Yes Ness. She started this program with us. She has grown with us in so many ways from four athletes on day 1 to the 16 we have today. She has the biggest heart and is relentless in her pursuit of the ball and her goals.  We will miss Anessa's fire and encouraging voice. We love you and you deserve all the best thing in the world, you will be missed sooo much. Thank you for getting us started."
 
Coach Catanese said, "Anessa is someone who has had to work for everything she has on and off the court and it shows in her play. She goes for it all and every point is a do or die moment. She brings this intensity to practice and games and she can get everyone locked in with her stare alone. Behind all of that though is someone who has a big heart for this sport and an even bigger heart for her teammates."
 
Coach McManus said, "Ness is a determined, tenacious player and an incredibly mature person who makes juggling life look seamless. Though direct, she is also compassionate, and how much she cares for this team is evident in how she plays."
 
Mai Tomlin – Tomlin is also one of the founding members of the Bushnell beach volleyball program and has been with the Beacons for four seasons. She has played extensively in the Bushnell exhibitions, and was a consistent starter in the No. 5 pair as a junior, earning three wins.
 
Coach Elgarico said, "Mai is an OG. Her smile and kindness are contagious.  She is a quiet cool defender.  Her team can always rely on her sweet demeanor to motivate them.  She has watched the team evolve and always taken on any role we have given her with confidence and determination.  I can't imagine not seeing her every day.  We love you Mai and you will be missed."
 
Coach Catanese said, "Mai has been a joy to coach and a selfless teammate. Her consistency and encouraging nature has made the court a safe space, especially for our newer athletes, to hone in their skills. She's embraced an edge and aggressiveness to her game this season proving that you can be nice off the court but once the whistle blows it's game on."
 
Coach McManus said, "Mai's quiet confidence has grown tremendously during her time at Bushnell. She helped manage the team while rehabilitating through a major injury; she focused on becoming more aggressive; and she found the confidence to trust her intuition during point-scoring matches. Her kindness and calm determination will be missed."