HONOLULU – The Western Washington University volleyball team opened play in the Aloha State Showdown with a four-set victory over UC Merced Thursday afternoon inside McCabe Gymnasium.
WWU defeated UC Merced 25-14, 25-18, 18-25, 25-14 to extend its winning streak to three consecutive matches improving to 3-1 on the season.
Junior outside hitter Delaney Speer tallied a 10-kill, 10-dig double-double and reigning GNAC Player of the Week Devyn Oestreich had 11 kills and three service aces. Senior opposite Abby May contributed 11 kills on a .250 hitting percentage. Senior setter Adele Holland recorded 22 assists and tied for the team lead with three aces.
"This was definitely a grind as Merced made us work today to start the tournament," said WWU head coach Diane Flick-Williams. "When we controlled our first ball contacts, that helped kick start our offense. Abby (May) really came alive for us and Delaney (Speer) was super solid with her swings. I liked the efficiency of Voss (Emily Vossenkuhl) and Teya (Zaddack) through the middles which meant Adele (Holland) and Caroline (Hansen) were making some great decisions and adjustments at setter. Overall, a great start but much left to do."
Junior libero Finnley Claeys led the Viking with 12 digs and junior middle Emily Vossenkuhl totaled three blocks.
|
NCAA Volleyball
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
Final
|
|
UC Merced (1-4)
|
14
|
18
|
25
|
14
|
1
|
|
Western Washington (3-1)
|
25
|
25
|
18
|
25
|
3
|
The Vikings (3-1) are back in action tonight (5 pm HT/8 pm PT) taking on tournament co-host and No. 24 nationally ranked Chaminade. WWU plays Hawai'i Hilo tomorrow and Hawai'i Pacific on Saturday to wrap up non-conference play. The complete 2025 season schedule can be viewed at WWUVikings.com/25_VB.
Kills – Oestreich (11), May (11), Speer (10)
Aces – Holland (3), Oestreich (3), Hansen (2)
Blocks – Vossenkuhl (3), Oestreich (2), Zaddack (2)
Assists – Holland (22), Hansen (16), Vossenkuhl (2)
Digs – Claeys (12), Speer (10), Oestreich (7)
Points – Oestreich (15.0), Speer (11.5), May (11.5), Vossenkuhl (6.5)
Here is a look at the statistical comparison between WWU and UC Merced:
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COMPARISON
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WWU
|
UCM
|
|
Attack Pct.
|
.214 (47-22-117)
|
.068 (34-26-118)
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|
Kills
|
47
|
34
|
|
Assists
|
44
|
31
|
|
Service Aces
|
11
|
8
|
|
Solo Blocks
|
0
|
1
|
|
Block Assists
|
10
|
16
|
|
Total Blocks
|
5.0
|
9.0
|
|
Tie Scores: 14 Lead Changes: 8
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Here is a look at Western's record breakdown for the 2025 season:
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2025 RECORD BREAKDOWN
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|
Overall Record
|
3-1
|
|
Streak
|
W3
|
|
Home
|
2-1
|
|
Away
|
0-0
|
|
Neutral
|
1-0
|
|
GNAC Record
|
0-0
|
|
Non-Conference
|
3-1
|
|
3-Set Matches
|
0-0
|
|
4-Set Matches
|
3-1
|
|
5-Set Matches
|
0-0
|
|
Ranked Opponents
|
2-1
|
|
Winning First Set
|
2-0
|
|
Dropping First Set
|
1-1
|
|
Record by Jersey
|
|
White
|
0-0
|
|
Light Blue
|
1-0
|
|
Dark Gray
|
0-0
|
|
Navy Blue
|
2-0
|
|
Light Gray
|
0-1
|
