Oregon State
4-11,2-3WCC
San Francisco
11-6,4-1WCC
Beavers Stun San Francisco
October 12, 2024 | Women's Volleyball
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Stunning the WCC's leader, San Francisco, the Oregon State volleyball team capped the two-match weekend with a five-set win on Saturday afternoon.
Behind a trio of Beavers (4-11, 2-3) with double-digit kills (Annika Hester – 20, Lauren Rumel – 15 and Kalli Schoening – 13) and double-digit digs (Vivian Light – 15, Alara Doganyuz and Alexis Rodriguez – 10 apiece), the home team prevailed (25-27, 25-18, 25-23, 22-25, 15-13) inside Gill Coliseum. Emma Lilo kept the offense humming with 41 assists, just seven shy of matching her career best, set back in the season opener. Doganyuz complemented her digs with 18 assists, reaching her first double-double for her career.
Featuring 10 ties and going back-and-forth for the nearly the entire set, the Dons secured the first in a comeback fashion, at 27-25. San Francisco took advantage and denied a sweep attempt when they benefitted from a Rumel error to clinch the frame. Schoening started her strong day with a team-best five kills in the first while Lilo dished seven assists.
Not wanting to fall into an 0-2 hole for the second time in the weekend, Oregon State flipped the switch in the second when it was at 10 apiece. The Beavers used a 6-1 run – highlighted by multiple kills from Hester and Rumel – to put pressure on the Dons. When the visitors snuck all of the way back within two at 20-18, a pair of Lilo aces sparked a 5-0 run to level it at a set apiece.
Eleven assists from Lilo along with 24 kills spread from the offense contributed to a second set win and a match-best .708 hitting percentage. Splitting 10 kills evenly between Hester and Schoening helped the Beavers get their lead at 2-1. Nearly trading 3-0 bursts, Oregon State finally built a cushion at 23-20 on the way to the frame victory before having to battle for three set wins. Defensively, Rumel's three digs paced Oregon State while Lilo and Narlioglu each had a pair.
Deadlocked at 19 following leads as high as five for the Beavers, San Francisco took hold of the last momentum with a 5-3 run to get the set and force a fifth at 25-22. Despite outhitting the Dons, Oregon State committed four service errors and an attack error, giving more chances to USF.
Down by as many as three in the decisive fifth set, Oregon State utilized one last charge when they needed it most to stun San Francisco, 15-13. At the risk of dropping the last two sets – and ultimately, the match – the Beavers scored five of the set's final six points after being down 12-10. A Hester kill, block by Hester and Zaria Thornton and an Iris Coba service ace clinched the win.
Oregon State's .327 clip was the best in league play and best since hitting .351 in the home sweep of Portland State last month, also inside Gill Coliseum.
OUR MISSION
Oregon State Athletics strives to Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes (Go BEAVS)
