CORVALLIS, Ore. – Eastern Oregon Volleyball racked up all the CCC honors they could in week one of the 2024 season. The Mountaineers were named the CCC Under Armour Team of the Week and also took home every CCC Player of the Week award.
Kiauna Mack was named Defensive Player of the Week,
Keira Vaughn was named Offensive Player of the Week, and
Alexis McMurtrey was named Setter of the week.
"I'm proud of these three for their work this weekend, but I'm also incredibly proud of our team," Head Coach
Kaki McLean Morehead said. "The reason they have the numbers they do is because of our defense and balanced offense. It allows them to be successful."
Mountie Volleyball kicked off the 2024 campaign with a dominant showing in their first preseason tournament hosted by College of Idaho last weekend. The Mountaineers finished 4-0 beating two ranked opponents (No. 5 Viterbo and No. 15 Montana Western) and another team receiving votes (Morningside University). EOU swept two of their four opponents in three-straight sets and won their other two matches in just four sets.
CCC ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Defensive Player of the Week: Kiauna Mack
Mack wasted no time returning to form in Eastern's first weekend back in action. The junior was dominant at the net leading the team in blocks with 21 through four matches averaging 1.5 blocks per set. The 6' 3" middle hitter consistently locked down opposing offenses and posted a season-high 7 blocks in EOU's final match against Montana Western on Saturday. Offensively, Mack also was a valuable contributor putting up 31 kills on the weekend at an efficient .361 clip. Her 31 kills ranked second on the team.
Offensive Player of the Week: Keira Vaughn
Vaughn led the offensive attack all weekend for the Mounties proving to be their go-to option early. The outside hitter led EOU with 50 kills on the weekend averaging 3.57 kills per set while hitting .319 through four matches. Vaughn had her best game against No. 5 Viterbo where she hammered home 17 kills. The junior also held her own defensively helping stifle opposing offenses at the net with 7 blocks on the weekend.
Setter of the Week: Alexis McMurtrey
The reigning CCC Setter of the Year picked up right where she left off facilitating a dangerous EOU offense in her first action of 2024. McMurtrey paced the Mounties all weekend-long leading the team with 90 assists averaging 6.43 per set. While she was consistent across the board, her best performance came in EOU's final match against No. 15 Montana Western where she put up 26 assists and registered 15 digs. Defensively McMurtrey was also second on the team in digs with 35 on the weekend.
