BOX SCORE | EUGENE, Ore. – Bushnell University Athletics and Grace Community Fellowship held a dedication for the Beacon’s new Beach Volleyball courts on Sunday, ahead of their official home opener against the University of Portland. The Pilots pulled out a 3-2 victory to spoil the grand opening on a day plagued by typical Oregon wind and rain.
Head Coach Kim Elgarico said, “What a very Oregon weather day for our home opener! Also, what a great day for us to show our appreciation to Grace Community Fellowship and Bushnell community and all of the hard work that has been put into the facility to give our team a place to call our own and a place to continue to grow. Our team is so grateful for everything that has been given to us and we promise to continue to work hard to show our gratitude through our sport.”
Bushnell’s victories came from the No. 3 team of Courtney Isom and Jadeya Hayes in sweeping fashion (21-10, 21-19) and the No. 2 pair of Brooke Silvernail and Anessa Stotts in three sets (21-18, 11-21, 15-11). For Stotts and Silvernail the win broke a season-long losing streak and provided the home crowd with some fireworks and a special moment in their three-set win.
Silvernail said, “Today we battled wind, rain, and sun and still pulled out two wins. It was so fun playing on our own home courts for the first time. Each time we play we continue to improve and move forward together.”
“Brooke and I were able to bring home our first big win as a pair together today,” added Stotts. “As a pair we continue to grow together and help improve the team overall! I am so excited to see this team grow and compete as a program.”
“Although we didn’t take the match win, we take so much pride in each of our victories,” said Elgarico. “Brooke and Anessa found their way to their first win and we could not be more proud of their perseverance and the way they fight for every point no matter the circumstances life throws at them. Courtney and Jade also handled their opponents with some very clean volleyball and competitive drive with big rips and big blocks to finish out their match.
Bushnell will return to the sand next weekend at Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington as the second full weekend of Cascade Collegiate Conference action gives the Beacons four matches. On March 15 they will face Southern Oregon and Corban and on March 16 they will take on first-year program College of Idaho along with the host Eagles.
The next home games for the Beacons will be on Thursday, April 4 against Southern Oregon at 5:00 pm, then on Friday, April 5 when they take on The College of Idaho at 10:00 am and Corban University at 4:00 pm as part of the final Cascade Conference weekend.
