LA GRANDE, Ore. – Junior outside hitter Amanda Miller attacked for a match-high 12 kills, and the No. 6 EOU volleyball team mustered its sixth top-25 victory of the season with a sweep (25-15, 25-23, 25-20) over No. 24 Corban on Friday night at Quinn Coliseum.
 
It wasn't easy, but the Blue and Gold (10-1, 3-0 CCC) managed to a hold off a pesky Corban (6-3, 2-1 CCC) squad that entered La Grande riding its first top-25 ranking since 1998. As a team, the Mountaineers outhit the Warriors, .228-.095.
 
Senior hitters Makayla Lindburg and Kasaundra Tuma tallied 10 and eight kills, respectively, while junior transfer Madisen Garlie added five kills and four blocks (one solo). Senior setter Rachelle Chamberlain was consistent in many areas for EOU, compiling 29 assists, 12 digs and three blocks (one solo). In the back row, sophomore defensive specialist Holli Mullins and junior libero Malia Mills were everywhere, collecting 12 and 11 digs, respectively.
 
Set one saw freshman hitter Megan Bunn attack for two kills early on to pace a 6-2 run to open the match. After Corban got to within three (12-9), EOU netted three-straight, including back-to-back kills by Tuma and Bunn to make it a six-point (15-9) contest. Garlie pounded one down to put EOU up by eight (23-15), and the Warriors coughed up two attack errors to yield the frame.
 
The second stanza didn't come easy, as Corban swung its way to an 11-7 lead. The Warriors committed a service error, and then Lindburg and Garlie teamed up for the assisted rejection to spark a 12-4 burst. Two EOU mishaps helped Corban ultimately tie the frame at 19 all, but the Warriors didn't help their case, yielding two more attack errors and a service blunder to deliver critical sideouts for the Blue and Gold. At set point (24-23), Chamberlain dished to Lindburg for the tally to make it a 2-0 affair.
 
Kills by Miller, Tuma, Garlie, and senior outside hitter Sierra Linke propelled EOU to an 11-7 advantage in the third set. Corban issued a strong response at the net, notching three-straight block assists amidst a 9-4 run to steal the lead (16-15). The Blue and Gold fired back with seven of the next nine points, and the Mountaineers ultimately put the Warriors away, 25-20, to cash the match.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
12 – Kills by Miller, a match-high effort.
11 – Match winning streak vs. Corban.
10 – Straight wins for the Blue and Gold.
9 – Consecutive sweeps.
28 – Straight sets won by the Mountaineers.
 
UP NEXT
EOU hits the hardwood tomorrow night against Northwest Christian in La Grande at 5 p.m.