Box Score

MONMOUTH, Ore. - Western Washington middle blocker Kayleigh Harper recorded 16 kills on a .483 hitting percentage and added 8 blocks to lead the Vikings to a five-set victory over Western Oregon Saturday evening in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action.

The Vikings improved to 8-6 overall and 4-2 in GNAC play with the 25-13, 24-26, 25-18, 15-11 victory over the Wolves. Western Oregon falls to 5-8 overall and 2-4 in league play.

The closely-contested match featured 25 tie scores (13 in the second set, 8 in the fourth set). The Vikings out-blocked the Wolves 15.0-8.0 and held a .229-.142 advantage in hitting percentage.

"Anytime you get road wins, it is a good thing, especially in this conference," said head coach Diane Flick-Williams. "We kept our composure when things got tight and played the match one point at a time. I think we learned some things about our team on this road trip and have a lot to grow from."

Harper (So., Oak Harbor, WA) led Western with 16 kills and tallied a season-high 8 blocks in the win. Outside hitter Abby Phelps (So., Manson, WA/Chelan) added 15 kills and 15 digs for her GNAC leading 10th double-double of the season.

Middle blocker Michaela Hall (So., Centralia, WA) also contributed a bit match with 11 kills (.304 pct.) and 4 blocks. Kazlyn Roullier (RS Fr., Spokane Valley, WA/Central Valley) had 7 kills and a career-high 7 blocks and Arielle Turner (Jr., OH, Leavenworth, WA/Cascade) recorded 9 kills, 11 digs and 3 service aces.

"I thought our middles - Kayleigh and Michaela - did a great job for us tonight," added Flick-Williams.

Western Oregon's Alisha Bettinson led all players with 20 kills and added 16 digs for the double-double.

The Vikings (8-6 overall, 4-2 GNAC) return home to Bellingham next week to host Central Washington on Thursday (7 pm) and Northwest Nazarene on Saturday (7 pm). Both matches will be played at Whatcom Pavilion on the Whatcom Community College campus as Carver Gym's two-year renovation nears its completion.

"We have two tough matches coming up at home and would love for the community to come out and support this group of young ladies," added Flick-Williams.