Box Score Nov. 17, 2016 Box Score | 
Bryce | Flick-Williams Interview
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Junior opposite Joellee Buckner recorded her second consecutive double-double with 10 kills and 15 digs to lead the No. 18 Western Washington Vikings to a 3-0 sweep of Montana State Billings (25-15, 25-19, 25-19) Thursday evening in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action at Whatcom Pavilion.
With the victory, the Vikings closed out the regular season with a 21-7 record and clinched a second-place finish in the GNAC with a 17-3 record. WWU will likely head to its fifth consecutive NCAA Division II Championships appearance having won 16 of its last 17 matches. Montana State Billings falls to 7-22 overall and 5-14 in GNAC play heading into its final match of the season Saturday at Simon Fraser.
Buckner (Colville, WA) finished with 10 kills (.296) and 15 digs. Her younger sister, Aubrey, led all players with a match-high 23 digs.
Sophomore middle blocker Kayleigh Harper (Oak Harbor, WA) turned in a team-high 11 kills and junior outside hitter Arielle Turner (Leavenworth, WA/Cascade) recorded a team-high 12.5 points (9 kills, 3 aces, 1 block assist). Sophomore outside hitter Abby Phelps (Manson, WA/Chelan) just missed the double-double with 9 kills and 12 digs.
Playing in her 100th career match, senior defensive specialist Bryce Larson (Mukilteo, WA/Kamiak) recorded 7 digs and was honored in a pre-match ceremony as part of senior night.
Sophomore setter Brette Boesel (Brewster, WA) engineered the WWU offense with 40 assists.
MSUB was led by a double-double from senior outside hitter Ashlynn Ward (12 kills, 15 digs) and 9 kills and 12 digs from senior Stormy Siemion.
The Vikings broke away from a close game midway through the first set to record a 25-15 victory. Leading 16-13, WWU closed out the opening set on a 9-2 run to go up 1-0. Harper led all players with 4 kills (.300) and J. Buckner and Phelps both had 3 kills. WWU out-hit the Yellowjackets .351 (14-1-37) to .103 (11-7-39).
WWU went up 2-0 with a 25-19 win in the second set. Leading by three at 19-16, the Vikings closed out the set on a 6-3 run. Turner had a game-high 5 kills and one service aces, while Phelps recorded 4 kills (.500). Hall, Harper and J. Buckner each had 3 kills as the Vikings hit .306 in the set.
Western clinched the sweep with a come-from-behind 25-19 win in the final set. MSUB led 12-10 midway through the set, but Aubrey Buckner served the Vikings to a 4-0 run to take a 15-12 lead. The Yellowjackets would get as close as 18-15, but WWU pulled away finishing the match on a 7-4 run. Buckner and Harper each had 4 kills in the final set.
Game Notes: WWU finished the regular season winners of 16 of its last 17 matches...the NCAA Division II Championships selection show to announce the Field of 64 will be held Monday (11/21) at 4:30 pm on NCAA.com...the Vikings have recorded their 27th 20-win season in the 45-year history of the program...also marks the 12th 20-win season in 17 seasons under head coach Diane Flick-Williams...WWU closed out the regular season going 9-1 at home matches at Whatcom Community College, and will return to a renovated Carver Gym on the Western campus next season...WWU improved to 15-3 in three-set matches (12-0 in GNAC play).
Related Links: Box Score | Season Stats | Career Stats
