KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Molly Grace and Nicole Reyes each recorded 13 kills, with Paige Tevelde recording four of Oregon Tech's nine service aces, as the Lady Owls closed out the opening weekend of Cascade Conference play with a 3-set sweep of Walla Walla University at Danny Miles Court.
 
The Lady Owls (4-4, 1-1 CCC) used big service runs in all three sets to complete a 25-14, 25-16, 25-16 victory, remaining unbeaten all-time against the Wolves.
 
"We earned a lot of our points tonight," said OIT head coach Ken Murczek. "We made a lot of improvement from last night – effort was a big focus for us and we did a good job with that. Players were laying out for balls and the engagement level throughout the play was much better than it was last night. I was very encouraged by that."
 
Three aces from Ashley Ripplinger and another by Tevelde helped Tech score nine of the first 10 points of the match, with consecutive kills from Kaylin Talonen pushing the lead to 16-4 in an easy Set 1 win.
 
The middle set was tighter, featuring seven ties – the last at 11-11 following a Sahara Browning kill for WWU (0-3, 0-3).  Consecutive kills from Grace started a 10-0 OIT run that blew the set wide open – as the hosts eased to the win.
 
Reyes rocketed a pair of kills and Tevelde notched back-to-back aces in a 9-1 start to Set 3 – completing the home win for the Lady Owls.
 
Grace finished with 13 kills without an attack error, with Reyes logging 13 kills and eight digs – both earning the praise of their coach.
 
"Molly put together back-to-back great nights," Murczek said. "Nicole was on fire tonight. She was hitting the ball – and even if it was right at them, they couldn't dig it."
 
Courtney Isom posted 26 assists and Aubrey Kievit added 13 digs in the win – as OIT finished with a 45-21 edge in kills and hit at a .292 percentage.
 
Gabrielle Browning had nine kills and Sahara Browning added eight kills for the Wolves.
 
OIT hits the road next weekend for matches at Northwest and Evergreen.