Bellevue College volleyball split four matches over the weekend at the NWAC Crossover Tourney this weekend. The event is part of a conference-wide non-league tourney in which several schools host various NWAC schools from other regions to face new competition. The Bulldogs hosted Highline, Skagit Valley, Wenatchee Valley, SW Oregon, Columbia Basin, South Puget Sound, and Clackamas.
On Friday, Bellevue swept a pair of easy wins 3-0 in both matches over Clackamas and South Puget Sound. BC won 25-13, 25-16, and 25-20 over Clackamas as Bellevue swung at a red-hot .550 percentage in set one to set the tone. The offense was spread amongst Savannah Sleasman (7 kills), Marin Mackey (7), Meg Perry (7), and Marina Tukan (6). Setter Justine Benson and Malia Honrud dished out 18 and 11 assists respectively. Sleasman added 7 digs on the defensive end as well.
BC took down South Puget Sound 25-9, 25-20, 25-23 with another strong first set as Bellevue had just one error and hit .500. In the third set, Bellevue was actually down at one point 22-21 before Ariana Bilby slammed home three kills to swing the momentum and 25th point to take the sweep. Bilby had 16 kills to lead the ‘dogs. Benson had 20 assists and was also hot from the serving line with 5 aces.
On Saturday, the Bulldogs had nothing going their way as the host lost 3-1 to Columbia Basin before a shocking sweep to Highline 3-0 in their final match. In the Columbia Basin match, after falling 25-21 and 26-24 in the first two sets, Bellevue stormed back with a 25-14 win in set three. In set four, BC appeared on track to tie the match up as they held a commanding 12-7 lead, but defensive miscues down the stretch allowed CBC to come back. The Hawks’ offense then gained momentum with five straight kills to take the lead and hold off Bellevue, 25-21.
In the nightcap, Bellevue could not flip the momentum from the day’s earlier shocking loss, falling in straight sets 29-27, 25-23, 25-22 to Highline. Contrary to previous matches, the squad came out cold offensively hitting at a .162 clip. In the third and decisive set, five straight kills from BC’s Perry, Tukan, and Bilby gave BC the lead 22-21 but then surrendered three consecutive points on errant swings giving Highline the win.
Bellevue is now 9-4 and hosts Pierce this Tuesday September 14 at 7:00 p.m.
Last Updated September 12, 2021
