LA GRANDE, Ore. – The No. 10 Eastern Oregon University volleyball team powered past the Eagles of Northwest University, 3-0 (25-22, 25-16, 25-18), on Friday evening at Quinn Coliseum. The Mountaineers recorded 43 kills on the evening and were led by Casey Loper's double-double, 15 kills and 12 digs. EOU held the Eagles to 21 kills and a hitting percentage of .050 on the night.
Rachelle Chamberlain dished out 33 assists and Jessalyn Smith recorded 15 digs to lead the Mountaineers on the evening. Rae Ann Haistings led the Eagles with eight kills on the night.
Early in the first set, Northwest held a three point lead, 8-5, after a Mountaineer attack error. EOU slowly mounted its comeback and tied the set at 13-13, after an Amanda Miller kill. EOU took a one point lead after a Loper kill. The lead did not last long, as Northwest's Hannah Hanson tied the set at 14-14.
With set one tied, EOU scored the next four points to take an 18-14 lead and Eastern Oregon looked to put the Eagles away. Northwest had other ideas and after an ace by Christina Gleb, the set was tied at 22-22. EOU scored the last three points of the set taking set one, 25-22.
The Mountaineers offense clicked in the second set of the match. EOU raced out to an early 12-4 lead, after an Emily Nay kill. The Eagles tried to mount a comeback, but did not get closer than five points the rest of the set. EOU continued to extend its lead as many as ten points, 23-13, and after an attack error by Haistings. Loper gave the Mountaineers the 25th point of the second set, 25-16.
EOU and Northwest continued to battle in a highly contested third set, and after a Nay attack error, EOU led, 8-7. EOU slowly built their lead and went on a five point run, to take a 14-8 lead. EOU continued to extend their lead and after a kill by Miller, EOU's advantage was six points. EOU took set three, 25-18 and swept the Eagles.
The Mountaineers return to action on Saturday, Oct. 11 when they host Evergreen at 4:30 p.m. Its Dig Pink night, wear pink and get loud. Northwest returns to action tomorrow as they face College of Idaho at 5 p.m. MT.
