Bushnell University

COLLEGE PLACE, Wash. – The Bushnell volleyball team proved that they can win with a little flair for the dramatic on Saturday night, coming back to knock off Walla Walla University in five sets, 16-25, 23-25, 25-22, 25-11, 15-11.
 
A historically difficult road game on a Saturday night, with a rocking student section supporting the Wolves, Bushnell benefited from a Cascade Collegiate Conference soccer schedule that saw the Beacon men's and women's teams both in town for their Sunday morning double-header. The teams provided just enough extra oomph to help Bushnell earn a reverse sweep on Windemuth Court for the second year in a row.
 
Head Coach Jason Corwin said, "I need to recognize both soccer teams that came out tonight. They made a huge difference and were so loud that we were shouting in our huddles at one point. It was an awesome experience for this team."
 
The Beacons were shell-shocked out of the gate as the Wolves jumped out to an insurmountable 10-1 lead. WWU would go ahead by as many as 11 points in the set, and after taking a 4-0 lead in the second, never trailed as they built the two-set advantage.
 
"Walla caught us flat footed," said Corwin, and their block and defense put us in a hole we had trouble digging out of. I am really proud of how we kept working to find solutions and maintained our confidence in a tough situation. We called on a lot of the team to make an impact tonight, and they were ready."
 
Bushnell finally got a first-point in the third set with a kill from Peyton Arland, and went on to fight for every point as they traded leads nine times and were tied ten times before the visitors eked out the set.
 
It was all Bushnell from there as they rolled to the wins in sets four and five.
 
Official statistics were not immediately available for the contest on Saturday evening, while the unofficial statistics indicate a potential record-tying performance for senior Soliel Sands. She is currently credited with a team-high nine kills, along with 13 total blocks, which would equal the school-record, set by Matty Ladd in 2022.
 
"The first two sets were slow and we didn't adjust to playing our game," said Sands. "But we went into the huddle and leaned on each other. We came back out and played some of our best volleyball. I love my team with my entire heart."
 
"We had some adversity in the beginning while playing in a tough environment," said Arland. "Our team came together and found a rhythm and continued to build momentum with each point. I am so proud of our team bringing fire and energy to finish the game with a reverse sweep."
 
Carly Hanna added, "I am so proud of our team tonight and the way we fought back. I love this team so much and I never had a doubt that we would take the win."
 
The Beacons (12-5, 7-3) finish out the first half of the Cascade Collegiate Conference schedule tied with Corban University for third-place, and hold the tie-breaker for the No. 3 seed. Walla Walla (3-9, 3-7) sits alone in eighth-place in a conference that sends eight to the post-season.
 
UP NEXT: Bushnell will continue their road stanza on Wednesday evening as they head to Salem to take on No. 6 Corban University at 6:00 pm.