EUGENE, Ore. – The impressive Bushnell Beach volleyball season continued on Monday as the Beacons split a double-header with NCAA Division I Foe University of Portland. UP took the opener, 3-2 Before a strong 4-1 victory for Bushnell in the night cap.
The Beacons (4-9), currently receiving votes in the NAIA national coaches poll defeat the Pilots (4-4) for the second time in school history and first since 2023.
"I love when our resilience sticks out," said Head Coach
Kim Elgarico. "We don't get tired, we don't let our energy fade, and we love to play. Coming back from a 3-2 loss to a 4-1 win proves that and we love a good DI victory!"
University of Portland 3, (RV) Bushnell University 2
Leo Freytag/Elin Larsson (UP) def.
Hailey Heider/
Kate Palelek (BU) 21-17, 19-21, 15-11
Sarah Incitti/Tate Mercer (UP) def.
Olivia Kelzenberg/
Jazmyn Wilcox (BU) 21-12, 21-17
Mic Strati/Val Bruk (UP) def.
Carly Hanna/
Monet Panther (BU) 21-19, 18-21, 15-9
Sydney Myhre/
Laci Jespersen (BU) def. Jeryn Hildenbrand/Nyah Doan-Mitchell (UP) 21-15, 21-18
Haley Engelbrecht/
Kailey Shirley (BU) def. Liz Ortiz/Josie Povey (UP) 19-21, 21-19, 16-14
Ex.
Avery Lenssen/Bella Jacobson (BU) def. Mel Cormack/Greta Kesmodel (UP) 21-16, 22-20
(RV) Bushnell University 4, University of Portland 1
Leo Freytag/Elin Larsson (UP) def.
Hailey Heider/
Kate Palelek (BU) 17-21, 21-11, 15-9
Olivia Kelzenberg/
Jazmyn Wilcox (BU) def. Sarah Incitti/Tate Mercer (UP) 21-16, 21-17
Carly Hanna/
Monet Panther (BU) def. Mic Strati/Val Bruk (UP) 20-22, 22-20, 20-18
Sydney Myhre/
Laci Jespersen (BU) def. Jeryn Hildenbrand/Nyah Doan-Mitchell (UP) 21-19, 21-14
Haley Engelbrecht/
Kailey Shirley (BU) def. Liz Ortiz/Josie Povey (UP) 21-13, 21-16
Ex. Mel Cormack/Hannah Debban (UP) def. Hannah Bruston/
Kaylee Dancer (BU) 21-16
Ex.
Emma Nevarov/Bella Jacobson (BU) def. Mel Cormack/Hannah Debban (UP) 21-19
The momentous day got kickstarted during the opening loss, which was nearly a 4-1 decision. The Pilots had already sealed the win, leading 3-1, and Bushnell's No. 5 pair of
Haley Engelbrecht and
Kailey Shirley were trailing 14-8 in the third set of their match when they stormed back, scoring eight straight points to claim the win.
Shirley said, "When we fell behind, we locked in on controlling our side of the court and playing without fear. Our team fought until the end and that determination led us to the win."
All three of the second-flight pairs went to three sets, showing how closely matched the two teams were and setting the stage for an epic win for the Beacons.
That victory propelled them to a match-clinching performance in the second match as Bushnell swept wins at the No. 2 and No. 4 pairs before a sweep for Engelbrecht and Shirley sealed the win. "Kailey and I focused on being steady and shaking off mistakes," said Engelbrecht. "That helped us get to our fearless play again today."
Also displaying Bushnell's signature resiliency was the No. 2 pair of
Jazmyn Wilcox and
Olivia Kelzenberg. The duo was sent packing in two sets in the opening match, only to turn around and set the tone for the Beacons with a 2-0 win of their own in the second match.
"Liv and I were finally able to get our juju back," said Wilcox. "I knew we needed to come out more aggressive and have more communication and that is exactly what we did in the second match."
Kelzenberg added, "Our energy and communication is what wins games! Jazz and I just fixed what was on our side of the net and it worked."
Not to be outdone on Monday, Bushnell's all-time winningest duo of
Laci Jespersen and
Sydney Myhre snagged another two wins at the No. 4 pair, running their winning streak to six matches.
UP NEXT: The Beacons will have a bye in the Cascade Collegiate Conference schedule this weekend and return to action on March 20 in Caldwell, Idaho, taking on Northwest University (0-3).
