next: Saturday, September 22 | #5 Washington @ Arizona
SEATTLE—Jenni
Nogueras grew up in Puerto Rico, speaking Spanish. At the University of
Washington, her major is English.
So what language does she speak at home?
“She speaks Spanish,” says teammate—and roommate—Kaleigh Nelson. “And I love how it
sounds.”
Last night, however, it was Nogueras who loved how Nelson
sounded. In Washington’s often-tense
3-1 victory over Washington State,
it was the communication between roommates that made the difference.
 |
| Amanda Gil (1), Jenni Nogueras (9), Kaleigh Nelson (6) and teammates celebrate match point -photo courtesy of Shutter Geeks Photography |
Nelson finished the night with 16 kills and 4 errors on just
24 swings, a sizzling .500 average. Her big performance was never more evident
than in the waning moments of the match.
With the fourth set score tied at 22, Washington’s star
hitter Krista Vansant (16 kills/3
errors/45 attempts/.289) got a big kill, then moved off the front line and back
to serve. On the ensuing rally, Gabbi
Parker hit the ball long; on the next rally, Nelson did the same. Suddenly,
the Cougars had set point.
