The Dynasty Continues: LBCC Volleyball Wins Again

Sydney Amundsen #10, Kylene Briggs #5, Montanna Gubrud #3, Elizabeth Verschingel #14, and Melinda Wilmes #9 keep in high spirits during the game. Photo by Elliot Pond

Linn-Benton volleyball (LBVB) continues their undefeated season by picking up a victory at Chemeketa Community College, winning three sets to two. With this victory the Roadrunners are 8-0 in the Southern Region of the Northwest Athletic Conference and an outstanding 33-0 overall record.

Linn-Benton traveled to Chemeketa on Friday night, Oct. 21, and played a very tough match. Chemeketa took momentum early, taking it to the Roadrunners and winning set one 25-18.

“The entire game was nerve-racking,” said Freshman setter Montanna Gubrud. “Chemeketa is a good rivalry and we really wanted to win.”

LBVB was able to adjust, and won set two 25-18. The Roadrunners again showed why they’re the number one team in the Southern Region of the NWAC by taking set three 25-19. Not ones to go out without a fight, Chemeketa tied the series winning set four 25-23 in a very tight set. By tying the match up at two sets apiece the game was sent into a fifth and final set, with Chemeketa having the momentum after winning set number four. Lead by Sophomore Chase Bohman, who had four kills in the final set, LBVB was able to sneak past Chemeketa by taking set five 15-6.

“We played really up and down but in the end we got the job done,” said Gubrud, who finished with 58 assists on the night.

The game proved to be closer than expected, as the last time the Roadrunners were pushed to a set five was on Sept. 18 against Mt. Hood, who will visit Linn-Benton this Friday, Oct. 26.

A close-fought game does have its advantages, though.

“Everyone in our conference is improving so it is good for us to come up against some adversity and be able to work through it,” said Head Coach Jayme Frazier. “We did not fail at any one particular thing, we were just off in a couple of areas which then threw off our ability to terminate like we usually do.”  

With playoffs coming soon, maybe a game like this will light a fire under the team to continue its undefeated tear in the league.

“We had a good goal setting session today and positive discussion about staying dynamic and unpredictable as we go into these final four weeks of the season,” said Frazier. “We know we have to keep adapting and perfecting our execution because every team will bring their best against us.”

The Roadrunners will face Mt. Hood on Friday, Oct. 26 at home. The game will be part of the annual “Dig Pink” night, a benefit supporting breast cancer research, so make sure to wear your pink. Mt. Hood, who currently sits at a record of 3-6, will be poised to give LBVB all they have as teams want to break the undefeated record.

“I think we can’t look at their record because that doesn’t necessarily show what their team is truly capable of,” said Sophomore Alyvia Sams. “I know Mt. Hood has upset a couple teams and they are looking to do that to us as well.”

Story by Nick Fields