KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Despite big statistical nights for multiple Oregon Tech players, the Lady Owls were unable to hold a two-set lead, as Bushnell rallied for a 22-25, 18-25, 27-25, 26-24, 15-8 road win at Danny Miles Court.
 
OIT (6-7, 3-4 CCC) held match-point at 24-22 in Set 3 – but the visiting Beacons battled back with a 5-1 run, capped by a Halle Neuman-Matty Ladd block, to extend the match. BU rallied to win Set 4 and controlled the final set to complete the comeback.
 
"It's extremely disappointing because we had several opportunities to win the match and could not execute," said OIT head coach Ken Murczek. "We will need to regroup and get ready for the long trip to College of Idaho next Friday."
 
Kaylin Talonen recorded her second-straight 20-kill match for the Owls, finishing the night with 20 kills and six digs, while setter Paige Tevelde had a career-high 53 assists, 12 digs and three blocks.
 
The Beacons (9-6, 4-3) opened the match on a 6-1 run, with Callie Wilkins recording two of the visitors 10 aces in the contest. Talonen answered for the Owls, recording three kills in a 12-4 run – as Tech held the lead the rest of the way to claim the set win. The momentum continued in Set 2, as Talonen had four kills in a 13-3 push that gave OIT a 18-10 lead – with the hosts taking a two-set lead.
 
Set 3 was tight, featuring 17 ties before BU used the late set heroics to stay alive.  An Ashley Ripplinger kill gave OIT a 10-6 kill in Set 4, but the Beacons methodically clawed back, taking their first lead at 21-20. After Tech tied the score at 24-24, the Owls couldn't close the match – as a hitting error and a BU ace forced Set 5.
 
The finale was all Bushnell, as the Beacons grabbed an 8-3 lead at the change-over. Tech cut the margin to 9-7 on a Savanna Sterck kill, but Neuman ripped a pair of kills in a 4-point push that completed the comeback win – as BU held OIT to a .000 hitting percentage in the deciding set.
 
Molly Grace had 15 kills and three blocks, Kate Hicks posted nine kills and a career-high eight blocks, Ripplinger recorded eight kills, nine digs and three blocks, with Aubrey Kievit leading all players with 24 digs.
 
Neuman led BU with 19 kills, Jessica Northcutt had 13 kills and 13 digs, with Payton Jones logging five kills and a match-high 10 blocks.
 
Tech hits the road next weekend for matches Friday at College of Idaho and Saturday at No. 2 ranked Eastern Oregon.