BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Behind a balanced team effort and a career night from senior middle Chloe Roetcisoender, the No. 3 nationally-ranked Western Washington University volleyball team earned a four-set victory over Regis University.

The Vikings improved to 3-0 on the season with the 25-16, 18-25, 27-25, 25-21 win to cap the second day of the 2022 WWU Invitational on WECU Court in Carver Gym.

"This was a really good challenge for our team to face some adversity early in the season against a very good opponent," said WWU head coach Diane Flick-Williams, who is just 12 wins short of 500 for her career (488-117). "It was truly a night where we got contributions from our entire roster. I am very proud of how the team was resilient and rose to the occasion at key points in the match."

Roetcisoender (Duvall, WA/Cedar Park Christian) recorded a career-high 16 kills on a .600 hitting percentage and added eight blocks for 20.5 points.

"Chloe was amazing tonight, not just statistically, but also with the timing in which her big moments happened," said Flick-Williams. "To hit .600 with 16 kills and also have a big blocking night is really special."

Senior setter Malia Aleaga (Burien, WA/Kennedy) delivered 43 assists while distributing the ball to four players with eight-or-more kills.

"Malia was efficient and smart in how she ran the offense, putting our hitters in a great spot to be successful," added Flick-Williams.

Additional big performances were contributed by senior outside hitter Calley Heilborn (Auburn, WA/Auburn Riverside) with an 11-kill, 18-dig double-double and nine kills and four blocks from senior middle Olivia Fairchild (Olympia, WA/North Thurston). 

The Vikings defense also received 17 digs from senior libero Kasey Woodruff (University Place, WA/Curtis) and 16 digs from senior outside hitter Gabby Gunterman (Lake Stevens, WA). Sophomore Gabby Kepley (Bothell, WA/North Creek) provided a spark in a reserve role with a career-high six kills.

WWU out-hit Regis .221-to-.149 in the match and held a 12.0-to-5.0 edge in blocks.

Regis (1-1) was led by 13 kills by Amelia Davis (.321) and an 11-kill, 11-dig double-double by Halle Theis.

The Vikings closed out play in the 2022 WWU Invitational Saturday evening hosting Cal State Los Angeles at 7:30 pm in Carver Gym in a rematch of the 2021 NCAA II West Regional Championship match won by the Vikings.
 

SET 1 (WWU 25, REG 16): The Vikings took the opening set 25-16 behind a six-kill, three-block performance by Chloe Roetcisoender. Redshirt freshman Abby May also provided a spark from the service line serving several long runs for the Vikings. Olivia Fairchild added four kills and Calley Heilborn anchored the defense with eight of the Vikings 18 digs in the opening set. WWU hit .361 in the frame, while holding Regis to a .093 mark.

SET 2 (REG 25, WWU 18): Regis evened the match with a 25-18 second-set victory, riding two kills each from Halle Theis, Nadine Burbrink, Amelia Davis and Mara LeGrand. WWU closed to within four points at 20-16 following a 4-0 run, but the Rangers answered with a 4-0 run of their own to help secure the set victory. The Vikings were led by three kills from Calley Heilborn.  

SET 3 (WWU 27, REG 25): The Vikings and Rangers battled through 10 ties and three lead changes before Western went up 2-1 in the match with a 27-25 third-set win. The Vikings trailed 21-18, but went on a 6-1 run to grab a 24-22 lead. Regis fought off three set points before WWU ended it on kills from Olivia Fairchild and Gabby Kepley. Calley Heilborn tallied four kills and Kepley provided a spark with four kills and a block. Hannah Kepler and Halle Theis each had five kills in the set for Regis.

SET 4 (WWU 25, REG 21): The Vikings led wire-to-wire in the fourth set, but had to hold off a strong late challenge from Regis to put away the match in the fourth set. WWU held a commanding nine-point lead at 16-7, but the Rangers went on a 11-6 run to pull to within four points at 18-22. Regis then held off a pair of match points before Olivia Fairchild recorded the final kill of the match for the 25-21 win. Chloe Roetcisoender had six of her career-high 16 kills in the final set while hitting .857. 

Kills - Roetcisoender (16), Heilborn (11), Fairchild (9)

Aces - Heilborn (2), Gunterman (1), Lologo (1)

Blocks - Roetcisoender (8), Fairchild (4), Aleaga (4)

Assists - Aleaga (43), Woodruff (3), Fairchild (2)

Digs - Heilborn (18), Gunterman (16), Woodruff (15)

Points - Roetcisoender (20.5), Heilborn (14.5), Fairchild (11.0), Gunterman (10.0)

Here is a look at the 12-match schedule for the WWU Invitational that features four matches each day Thursday-Friday-Saturday in Carver Gym. For team rosters, webcast and live stats links and results, bookmark the official tournament website at wwuvikings.com/VBInvite.