ASHLAND, Ore. – The Bushnell volleyball program started the year off strong on Friday afternoon, grabbing a pair of wins at the Raider Invitational, hosted by Southern Oregon University.
 
The Beacons had two completely different matches that ended with the same result as they claimed sweeps over both Arizona Christian University and Simpson University.
 
Bushnell 3, Arizona Christian 0 (25-22, 28-26, 25-20)
 
Bushnell Female Athlete of the Year Hailey Heider picked up right where she left off the 2024 season, launching into 2025 with a big double-double to lead the Beacons against ACU. Heider claimed a match-highs of 11 kills and 15 digs while also adding a trio of service aces.
 
Bushnell swept the Firestorm (1-1), showing plenty of grit as they battled from behind for much of the first two sets. The Beacons impressed with nine service aces and eight blocks, while out-digging Arizona Christian, 56-48, surviving a match in which they had 26 unforced errors.
 
Amyah Semau nearly matched Heider's double-double with nine kills and 12 digs while Leah Agost hit .250 collecting seven kills and five blocks.
 
Making their Bushnell debuts, Soleil Sands led all players with six blocks while Emma Fa'alogo collected a match-high 19 assists along with ten digs for the double-double.
 
"The past two weeks we have worked so hard for this moment and coming out of this first match with a win was great," said Fa'alogo. "Our effort and hard work is paying off and the season has just begun. I am very excited for the rest of this season."
 
Bushnell 3, Simpson 0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-14)
 
The Beacons shook off any lingering opening-day jitters in their night cap, firing on all cylinders against the Redhawks. The Beacons hit .283 in the match and held Simpson to .019 attacking, and out-blocked them 8-4.
 
Heider once again led the way with a team-high eight kills, adding a match-best 13 digs. Agost added seven kills without an error, hitting .500 while Sands and Teagan Dixon earned six kills apiece and combined for seven blocks. Through two matches, Sands is averaging nearly two blocks per set.
 
Fa'alogo added another 20 assists while Kailey Shirley earned den digs.
 
The Beacons will be back in action on Saturday morning, taking on Park-Gilbert at 10:00 am to close out the tournament.