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Upset Inside Bohler Gym

by wsucougars.com
Feb 4, 2021

Game Highlights | Box Score (PDF) | Jen Greeny Post-Match | Boxscore

PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State Volleyball upset the No. 18 ranked Bruins of UCLA Thrusday evening inside Bohler Gym, by a final score of 3-2. 

Set scores from the match were: 15-25, 25-16, 26-28, 25-15, and 15-9 in favor of WSU (4-1, 4-1 Pac-12).

This Pac-12 match-up featuring these two ranked programs began much like anyone would expect, closely contested early and throughout. No. 18 UCLA (3-2, 3-2 Pac-12) did create a small lead over the Cougars after posting four consecutive points for the 5-3 advantage. WSU would fight back with a run ending point, only to see the Bruins generate a 6-1 run to jump ahead to a 13-7 lead. The Cougs could not find an answer to UCLA in this opening set, as another scoring run from the visitors saw the set end at 25-15, in favor of the Bruins. d

Washington State saw a spark in the offense in set two, as the combination of Pia Timmer and Julianna Dalton overpowered the Bruins. Timmer and Dalton each posted a set hitting percentage of .571, recording four kills each as well. Magda Jehlářová continued to be a dominate force defensively with four total blocks in the set as well. The Cougars surged ahead in this second game with an 8-1 scoring run to swing the momentum back to the home side with a set win of 25-16 overall. 
 
Set number three was by far the most intense up to this point in the match, as these two squads generated 21 total ties throughout the set. WSU saw multiple openings to close out UCLA in this third set of play, going up 18-16 on the Bruins after three straight points forced a visitor timeout. UCLA managed to fight back a bit and take a 20-19 lead, until the Cougs caught fire for a 5-0 scoring run fueled by a Penny Tusa ace, and multiple kills from Alexcis Lusby. The Bruins however produced multiple small runs down the stretch and took set three at 28-26.

The Cougars saw something on the court click tonight after they dropped a set in this match, shooting out of the gate in set four to a 10-5 lead over UCLA. Timmer was once again on fire as she posted a set attack percentage of .625 with six total kills. Kalyah Williams completely took over in set four as well, posting five kills and an attack percentage of .714 in the fourth to fuel the Cougar offense. Washington State had set four sealed up after a 9-2 scoring run put the Cougs in front 21-11, and a final service error from UCLA tied up the match at 2-2 overall. 

Set five saw the Cougs pick up right where they left off, posting four consecutive points to begin the final set of play, as kills from Hannah Pukis, Lusby, Dalton, and Magda have the momentum in full swing for the home squad. UCLA began creating a minor comeback, but the emotion had been turned up to the max for the Cougs as another run of 5-0 put the score at 11-4 and WSU in complete control. The two programs went on to trade a few points late in the fifth set, but a Dalton kill ultimately sealed the upset victory for the Cougars at 15-9.

STAT OF THE MATCH
The Cougars as a team finished the night with a hitting percentage of .336 overall, one of the best the program has recorded in recent play. Contributing to this incredible stat was Magda Jehlářová who hit .643, Alexcis Lusby who hit .542, Hannah Pukis at .300, Julianna Dalton at .273, and finally Kalyah Williams at .240 overall. 
 

INTO THE TWITTER-VERSE

MATCH NOTES

  • Pia Timmer led the Cougars with 15 kills on the night, hitting .225 overall and added 11 digs for yet another double-double this season.
  • Hannah Pukis continued to anchor the Cougs with 48 assists, eight digs, and two total blocks. 
  • Kalyah Williams, Magda Jehlářová, and Julianna Dalton each made huge contributions offensively with 10 kills each in the match.

 

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