KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Kate Hicks tied a career-high with 10 kills without an attack error and the Oregon Tech defense forced Multnomah University into a negative hitting percentage, as the Lady Owls ended a 4-match losing streak with a 25-23, 25-9, 25-15 victory at Danny Miles Court.
 
Hicks needed just 21 swings for her 10 kills, adding four blocks in the home win for OIT (8-14, 6-9 CCC). The Owls forced 30 attack errors from the visitors, with the Lions (3-12, 3-12) ending the evening with a hitting percentage at -.046.
 
"The girls kicked it up a notch after the first set," said OIT head coach Alexis Garrison. "We played our game and took care of business."
 
The Lions played well in Set 1, as Maya Blake hammered three kills in a mid-set push, as MU built a 19-14 lead. Hicks answered with two kills in a 6-0 OIT run to regain the lead. The visitors tied the score at 23-23, but consecutive hitting errors by the Lions ended the set.
 
Tech dominated the rest of the way – holding MU to nine kills (and 20 attack errors) the rest of the way. Savannah Sterck had two kills and a block in an 8-0 run early in Set 2, with the Owls adding a 10-2 run to close out the period. Hicks added 3-straight kills in Set 3, helping OIT build a 13-5 lead and consecutive Brooke Cassidy aces extended the margin to 21-9.
 
Molly Grace had 10 kills and 12 digs, Aleksen Thayer had seven kills and four blocks, Brooke Cassidy finished with 18 assists and nine digs, with Kaley Whalen ending with 20 digs.
 
Blake led the Lions with eight kills and 10 digs, setter Aiyana Henderson recording 16 assists and nine digs, with Lauren Porter leading all players with 22 digs.
 
OIT closes out the weekend tomorrow night, hosting Warner Pacific at 5 p.m.