Box Score

WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Twelve kills from Megan Bafus and seven blocks from Natalia Zea highlighted the net play of Whitman College's volleyball team Friday night as the Missionaries swept visiting Pacific (Ore.) University, 3-0, in Northwest Conference action at Sherwood Athletics Center.

The victory wasn't an easy one, however, as Whitman (6-5, 2-1 NWC) had to use a late rally in the second game after needing a 10-0 run in the opener to down the pesky Boxers (5-8, 1-3).

Ahead 20-12 in Game 2 Whitman suffered through a lapse that allowed Pacific to pull even at 22-22 and again at 23-23. A Bafus kill gave the Missionaries the lead and a Zea block turned what could have been a disastrous loss into a two-game lead.

The opening game wasn't without drama either as Whitman battled back from a six-point deficit to begin showing a resiliency that would prove pivotal all night.

An early three-point lead for Whitman in Game 1 didn't last long and the Missionaries and Boxers traded points, and watched the scoreboard display a tie score four times until Pacific edged ahead 11-10. That advantage blossomed to six at 21-15 before the Missionaries put together their longest consecutive-point run of the season. Kaileah Akker's kill started the 10-point run and the first-year player closed it out with another kill following a pair of service aces from Hannah Linsenmayer.

Though Pacific challenged Whitman over the entirety of the third game the Missionaries were able to make an early lead hold up all the way through to, fittingly, one last kill from Bafus who put the finishing touch on a 25-22 win.

Head coach Matt Helm was pleased with the way his squad fought back over the course of the evening. "It was great to come back home, after three weeks on the road, and work hard to take this win," said Helm. "We had troubles, again, in that second game but I believe the great fan support we had tonight helped us close out a game in which we led big, but had to sneak one out at the end there. Two veterans (Bafus, and Zea) came up with crucial plays, and that's what we need and expect."

In addition to Bafus' 12 kills the Missionaries also got nine from Shae Kanakaole and seven from Abby Seethoff while Akker chipped in with six, including her two in the 10-0 Game 1 run. Working hard to set up the attack at the net was Anna Dawson who posted a match-best 35 set assists along with registering 2.5 blocks and six digs.

Linsenmayer's 21 digs were a match-best total. Kanakaole added 13 digs to join Linsenmayer in double-figures.

Whitman has the rest of the weekend off and doesn't head back into action until Friday, Oct. 3 when it travels to Linfield College for a conference match against the Wildcats at 7 p.m.,