Roadrunners Back in Finals with 4-Set Victory Over Yakima Valley

LAKEWOOD, Wash. – The Linn-Benton Roadrunners are back in the championship game for the fourth-straight year.

Linn-Benton defeated Yakima Valley 3-1 (25-15, 20-25, 25-18, 25-15) in the semifinals of the 2024 NWAC Volleyball Championship on Saturday at Pierce College.

After splitting the first two sets, the third set proved to be decisive for the Roadrunners, not only on the scoreboard but also for momentum. Winning the third set 25-18, LBCC then dominated the fourth set 25-15 to seal the win.

The win moves the Beaks (34-0) to 89-straight wins dating back to early in the 2022 season as they move to within one game of completing a second-straight undefeated year.

Both teams were strong at the net as LBCC totaled 12 blocks while the Yaks had 10. The two-headed attack of Brooklyn Willard, who had 17 kills, and Grace Luttrell, 13 kills, were too much for the Yakima Valley defense. Willard also had 19 digs and three block assists. Luttrell continued her torrid hitting percentage with just two errors on 21 attacks, hitting .524. She also had five block assists.

Annabelle Peterson led all players with six block assists while Amy Pappas had four. Rowan Reilly had eight kills. Meah Carley had 23 assists and 15 digs, Avery Hughes added 17 assists and Kinsey Brelage had 18 digs.

On the YVC side, Kaitlyn Leaverton led the team with a match-high 23 digs, also leading the team with 10 kills. McKenna Steiner had seven kills and 14 digs. Joleen Jaeger finished with 21 assists.

For the second year in a row, the Yaks will play for third place as they face the loser of Columbia Basin and Skagit Valley on Sunday at noon. Linn-Benton will play the winner in the championship game on Sunday at 3 p.m. Both matches will be played at Pierce College.

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