PENDLETON, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon University volleyball team took advantage of an exhibition match with Blue Mountain Community College and won four out of five games Tuesday night.

The Mountaineers found out earlier in the day that they debuted in the NAIA preseason poll with three votes in the receiving votes category. The exhibition game came at a perfect time for EOU because all four teams Eastern will face at the Azusa Pacific Tournament beginning Friday are in the preseason poll.

“We played good tonight,” head coach Kaki McLean said. “It was good to see all the combinations. But we definitely have things to work on before the Azusa tournament.”

Eastern Oregon will open the tournament Friday at 9 a.m. against Westmont College of California. Westmont is receiving nine votes in the new poll. The second game is against the nation's second ranked team, Concordia University of California. EOU closes against No. 20 Biola (Calif.) and fourth ranked Azusa Pacific Saturday.

“I like where we are in the poll,” McLean said. “It makes me a little more confident going into the season. Hopefully we can continue to get higher than that with a good performance at the tournament.”

Blue Mountain Community College bounced back after falling in the first four games to win the fifth and final game that went to 15 points.

“Coach Dave Baty does a good job with his girls,” McLean said. “He always has them ready to play. They have a good offense that really prepares our defense.”