KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – After a competitive opening set, the Evergreen Geoducks couldn’t get over the hump, falling to the Oregon Tech Owls in straight sets, 25-21, 25-12, 25-17, in a Cascade Conference volleyball match on Saturday evening at Danny Miles Court in Klamath Falls, Ore.
In a set that featured six ties and four lead changes, the Geoducks battled with the Owls in the first set as neither team could build much of a team. After leading by just two at 22-20, OIT managed a 3-1 run to win the first set, 25-21.
The Owls continued the run in the second set, opening up the frame with a 7-1 run and Evergreen couldn’t catch up. A 6-0 run put the set out of reach and a Kristen Walters kill gave Oregon Tech the 25-12 win to take the two-set lead.
The third set featured a number of mini-runs that slowly built a double-digit lead for the Owls. Evergreen eventually settled down but the differential was too much to overcome as OIT collected the 25-17 win to clinch the match in straight sets.
Evergreen was led by 10 kills from junior Cassidy Watkins (Tucson, Ariz./Trevecca Nazarene Univ.). Kameo Dela Cuadra (Salinas, Calif./Hartnell College) put up 14 assists while Merideth Gurr (Tacoma, Wash./Tacoma CC) led all players with 20 digs on the night.
Oregon Tech was led by Walters, who finished with 11 kills and five errors on 28 totall attacks. Kayleigh Whelchel had 18 assists for OIT and Megan Holland collected 12 digs in the win.
The Geoducks return to Olympia on Friday night when they play host to Corban, beginning at 7 p.m. at CRC Gymnasium. Evergreen will then wrap up the 2012 season on Saturday night with a match against Northwest Christian.