Thursday, December 1, 2016

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Defending regional champion and 3rd-seeded Western Washington got 14 kills and 13 digs from outside hitter Abby Phelps on Thursday and used comebacks in the first and third sets to earn a 25-23, 25-11, 31-29 sweep of 6th-seeded California Baptist in the NCAA Div. II West Regional Volleyball Championships at the Alaska Airlines Center.

The Vikings (22-7) also got a match-high 16 digs apiece from Joelle Buckner and Aubrey Buckner as they rallied from an 18-13 deficit in the opening frame.

The Lancers (20-9) got 15 digs, 10 digs and four blocks from All-Pacific West Conference outside hitter Lauren Hackett in their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.

In addition to its big first-set rally, WWU – the Great Northwest Athletic Conference runner-up – fought off five consecutive set-point chances for CBU in the third set. Tied 29-29, Phelps used an off-speed kill to earn match point, and Joelle Buckner finished it by notching her fifth kill off a set from Brette Boesel.

Up next for the 2015 NCAA semifinalist Vikings is the winner of the next match between 2nd-seeded Cal State San Bernardino and 7th-seeded Central Washington, in Friday’s 5 p.m. regional semifinal.