The Pioneer volleyball team earned a 30-18, 27-30, 24-30, 30-26, 15-11 victory over the Willamette Bearcats Saturday night at the Pamplin Sports Center. Katherine Fiedler had 15 kills and 6 blocks in the match.

The Pioneers dominated game one, cruising to a 30-18 victory. After jumping out to an early 6-1 lead, the Bearcats went on a 7-0 run, tying the game at ten and then taking a 12-10 lead. The Bearcats built on the lead, extending their advantage to six, 20-14 on a block by Julie Stutzman. The Pioneers crept back into the game, pulling within two, 23-21 on a kill by Kelsey Neussl (junior, Kodiak, Alaska). The Bearcats extended the lead back up to four, 28-24, on a kill by Jessica Durham. The Pioneers pulled within one, 28-27, on a kill by Katherine Fiedler (freshman, San Diego, Calif.). The Bearcats held on for a 30-27 victory, closing out the match with a block by Kelley Lindstrom.

In game three, the game was knotted 21-21 when a kill by Willamette's Kelley Lindstrom swung the advantage and momentum in Willamette's direction. The Bearcats closed out the match with an ace from Jordyn Smith, taking a 30-24 victory and a 2-1 advantage.

In game four, the Bearcats took an early lead, 12-7. The Pioneers, fueled by three service aces by Sara Kettler (senior, Dana Point, Calif.), took a 19-17 lead. Willamette tied the game four times, the final time at the 23-23 mark when a pair of service aces by Jessamy Holland (sophomore, Honolulu, Hawaii) put the Pioneers back in control of the game. They held on for a 30-26 victory to force game five.

In game five, the Pioneers took a 5-4 lead on a kill by Cayley Rassmussen (freshman, San Diego, Calif.). The Bearcats pulled within one, 8-7, on a kill by Jessica Durham, but that was as close as they would get with the Pioneers closing out the match with a kill by Katherine Fiedler.

For the Pioneers, Katherine Fiedler had 15 kills with three solo blocks and three block assists. Nicki Smith had 17 kills with seven digs. Sara Kettler had ten kills, 13 digs, and five service aces. Kelsey Clark (junior, Eagle Creek, Ore.) had ten kills with two block assists.

For the Bearcats, Kelley Lindstrom had 19 kills with two  solo blocks, and a block assist. Jessica Durham had 13 kills and 18 digs. Julie Stutzman had 13 kills and three solo blocks.

With the victory, the Pioneers improve to 6-10 (2-4 NWC). The Bearcats fall to 2-12 (0-6 NWC).