CORVALLIS, Or — Returning to Gill Coliseum after suffering their first conference loss, Oregon State was looking to deliver a season sweep against San Francisco.
The Beavers played from behind early in the first two sets but were still able to deliver a three-set sweep against the Dons.
“I think we’re so resilient,” senior outside hitter Lauren Rumel said. “This is a team that you’ll see never gives up, and we’re determined to win no matter what. I think we thrive when we’re coming from behind.”
Rumel led the way for the Beavers with 15 kills, including the final kill of the match to secure Oregon State’s sixth conference win.
“I always think that I am going to crush it no matter what,” she said. “I was telling Alana [Marrs] I will hit any ball you give me. If it’s up in the air, I’m going to crush it.”
With eight days separating the Beavers’ past two matchups, head coach Lindsey Behonick attributed the Beavers’ ability to battle back to a full week of training.
“You don’t get to train a lot in season,” Behonick said. “To have this week of full training really helped our team, being down or pulling ahead.”
Returning to the win column, Oregon State now shifts its attention to a Pepperdine team that has a 5-2 West Coast Conference record.
“I think [this win] gives us a lot of confidence heading into two tougher opponents this week,” Rumel said. “We’re excited to continue this momentum. It was so great to win in three [sets], but coming from behind in the first two sets showed us we can overcome deficits and still win.”
Oregon State begins a three-game road trip by taking on Pepperdine on Thursday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m.