Box Score Sept. 2, 2017 Box Score
LAKELAND, Fla. - The 12th-ranked Western Washington University volleyball team improved to 2-1 on the season with a 3-1 victory over New Haven (25-12, 24-26, 25-19, 25-11) in the first of two Saturday matches during the final day of The Terrace Hotel Classic at Jenkins Field House.
The Vikings improved to 2-1 on the season with their second consecutive win, and will wrap up tournament play in Florida tonight facing tournament host Florida Southern College at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT.
"This match was a bit of a struggle on our side, but it was a good learning experience on how to deal with that early in the season," said 18th-year head coach Diane Flick-Williams. Senior opposite Joellee Buckner (Colville, WA), junior outside hitter Abby Phelps (Manson, WA/Chelan) and junior setter Brette Boesel (Brewster, WA) led the way for the Vikings each recording a double-double. Buckner tallied her 11th career effort with double-digits in kills and digs, with 16 and 18 respectively, and added 2 service aces and 2 block assists for a match-high 19.0 total points. Phelps notched her second double-double of the season and 32nd of her career with 13 kills and 20 digs. Boesel also had a double-double, this one of the assist-dig variety, with a match-high 45 assists and 11 digs. "Joellee was a steady offensive threat and carried the load for us when we needed a lift," added Flick-Williams.
Junior middle blocker Michaela Hall (Centralia, WA) was also a standout for the Vikings with a season-high 11 kills on a .455 attack percentage (11-1-22). She added a team-high 5.0 blocks to finish with 14.0 points. Junior libero Aubrey Buckner (Colville, WA) recorded a team-high 21 digs and added a pair of service aces. Redshirt freshman Alison Davenport (Auburn, WA/Auburn Mountainview) provided a spark off the bench with two of WWU's seven service aces. New Haven (0-3) was led by a 11-kill, 10-dig double-double by Caroline Martins. The Chargers held an 11.0 to 6.0 edge in blocks, led by a match-high 6 blocks by Alex Bussey.
Tonight's evening match vs. Florida Southern can be followed online via a webcast and live stats at FSC's Gameday Central. The Vikings will cross the country returning to Bellingham tomorrow and return to action next week at the D2 West Region Volleyball Showcase in Anchorage, Alaska. WWU will face California Baptist (Thursday), Cal State San Bernardino (Friday), Concordia-Irvine (Friday) and Chico State (Saturday) in the tournament hosted by the University of Alaska Anchorage at the Alaska Airlines Center.
