Umpqua Edges Out Thriller Against Chemeketa in Five-Set Battle

Umpqua Edges Out Thriller Against Chemeketa in Five-Set Battle

**October 1, 2025, Roseburg, OR** – In an electrifying match at Umpqua College Road, the Umpqua volleyball team edged out Chemeketa in a nail-biting five-set showdown. Despite rocky seasons for both teams, Umpqua (4-10, 2-3) secured a crucial victory with a final scoreline of 17-25, 23-25, 25-20, 25-14, 15-8 against Chemeketa (7-10, 1-4).

**Early Set Struggles Turned Around by Umpqua**
The visiting Chemeketa squad came out strong, taking the first two sets with scores of 25-17 and 25-23. Their early dominance was powered by efficient attacking play, notably from Iana Benevides, who tallied a team-high 14 kills across the match, hitting .205.

However, Umpqua battled back, showing resilience and strong team cohesion as they took the third set 25-20. Umpqua's effort was spearheaded by standout performances from Kennedy Baylis Hines, who led with 15 kills and a .148 hitting percentage, and Natalia Flores Rojas, who contributed 14 kills.

**Momentum Shift**
The fourth set saw a turning point where Umpqua capitalized on Chemeketa's offensive struggles. Chemeketa hit a mere .029, with Umpqua taking advantage to clinch the set convincingly at 25-14. The home team's energy carried over into the decisive fifth set, where they maintained their form to close the match at 15-8.

**Key Contributions and Statistics Highlights**
- **Kennedy Baylis Hines** was pivotal for Umpqua, not only leading in kills but also contributing nine digs and two solo blocks.
- **Julianna Wandler** aided the offensive and defensive efforts with 31 assists and 16 digs.
- Chemeketa's defense was led by Nicole Ebbs (pictured - Left) and Aliyah Johnston (pictured - Right), with 28 digs and two block assists respectively.
- Despite a strong start, Chemeketa's attack percentages dwindled in the latter sets, illustrating Umpqua's defensive adjustments.

**Serve and Block Impact**
Both teams matched each other with nine serving errors apiece. Umpqua, however, had a slight edge with 16 service aces compared to Chemeketa's 12, reflecting crucial points in tight moments.

Umpqua's blocks were more efficient, with three solo blocks and eight block assists, curbing Chemeketa's ability to break through in critical times.

**Conclusion**
The victory boosts Umpqua's record as they continue to navigate a challenging season. Their display of tenacity and adaptability in overcoming a two-set deficit underscores their potential for future contests. Meanwhile, for Chemeketa, the match reflects areas for improvement, particularly in maintaining offensive consistency and capitalizing on early leads. As both teams look to build on this performance, the thrilling encounter will surely bolster their morale and focus for upcoming matches.