Beavers Sweeps Past Alabama State

Friday, September 1

Portland, Ore.

6:30 PM

Oregon State

4-0

Alabama State

2-3

Alabama State

Oregon State

Photo by: Dave Nishitani/Oregon State Athletics

September 01, 2017 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Athletic Communications

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Oregon State volleyball team cruised by Alabama State in a three-set sweep in their opener to the North Harbour Marriott Invitational hosted by the University of Portland at the Chiles Center.

The Beavers, who are now 4-0 for the first time since 2014, bested the Hornets (2-3) by scores of 25-13, 25-19 and 25-14.

"Teams like (Alabama State) are very tough to beat," head coach Mark Barnard said. "It is really about what we do on our side of the net and we had moments of lost concentration. But ultimately we had the right outcome tonight."

It was a close match early in Set 1, with the Beavers trailing 11-10 but a kill from redshirt freshman Haylie Bennett gave OSU the serve. Junior libero Kayla Ellis fired back-to-back aces, the second of which trickled over the net, gave the momentum to the Orange & Black that the Beavers refused to relinquish. OSU finished the opening set on a 15-2 run and never looked back.

For the fourth time in four matches senior Mary-Kate Marshall paced the Beavers with a match-high 15 kills and added a pair of blocks. Bennett continued an impressive start to her career contributing a career-high 10 kills on just 17 swings and no errors.

"We got to play a lot more players tonight and that's important to get them out there in a game and outside of practice where there aren't any nerves. It was good to have Lanesha back out there too and she'll be better because of it."

Key Moment: Trailing 11-10 in the first set, Oregon State regained the serve on a Haylie Bennett kill. Kayla Ellis followed with back-to-back service aces. The Beavers finished the set on a 15-2 run to take the opening set.

Game Notes: Oregon State beat Alabama State in the programs' first ever meeting … Senior outside hitter Lanesha Reagan made her season debut in the second set after missing the opening weekend due to injury … Junior middle blocker Daniela Vargas also played for the first time in 2017 starting the third set for the Beavers … Haylie Bennett recorded a career-best 10 kills for the Beavers … OSU registered a season-high 14 service aces.

Next Up: The Beavers are back on the court twice tomorrow at the North Harbour Marriott Invitational. OSU faces Fresno State at noon and takes on Portland at 6 p.m. with both matches taking place at UP's Chiles Center. OSU's match with UP will be televised on CSN Northwest.

Season and single-match tickets for the 2017 season are available for purchase by visiting BeaverTickets.com or calling 1-800-GO-BEAVS.

For more information on the Oregon State volleyball team, follow the club's official Twitter account at Twitter.com/BeaverVBall, by Facebook at Facebook.com/OregonStateVolleyball or on Instagram at Instagram.com/BeaverVBall.

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