ASHLAND, Ore. – The No. 2-ranked Eastern Oregon University volleyball team suffered its first loss of the season on Saturday night, falling 3-1 (20-25, 20-25, 25-20, 19-25) to the No. 5-ranked Southern Oregon Raiders at Lithia Motors Pavilion. The Mountaineers dropped to 9-1 overall and 1-1 in Cascade Collegiate Conference play, while the Raiders remained unbeaten, improving to 9-0 overall and 3-0 in conference action.
Southern Oregon's offensive firepower and strong blocking were too much for Eastern Oregon to overcome. The Raiders were led by Marin Mackey, who tallied a match-high 18 kills, while Mylena Testoni added 12 kills and hit .417. Sadie Byrd contributed six kills and a match-best seven blocks as Southern Oregon hit .233 as a team.
For Eastern Oregon, Ashton Bales led the way with 14 kills and four blocks, while Kiauna Mack and Keira Vaughn chipped in seven and nine kills, respectively. However, the Mountaineers struggled offensively, hitting just .156 as a team and committing 27 attack errors.
The Raiders took control early, winning the first two sets by identical 25-20 scores. The Mounties battled back in the third set, winning 25-20, thanks to strong play from Bales and Vaughn. However, Southern Oregon regained momentum in the fourth set, closing out the match with a 25-19 victory.
Eastern Oregon setter Alexis McMurtrey dished out 23 assists and added 15 digs, leading the Mountaineers in each category.
A defensive battle at the net, each both teams finished the game with 24 total blocks.
Match Stats:
- EOU (Kills-Errors-Attempts): 48-27-135 (.156)
- Southern Oregon (Kills-Errors-Attempts): 59-25-146 (.233)
- EOU Leaders: Ashton Bales (14 kills, 4 blocks), Keira Vaughn (9 kills, 4 blocks), Hailey Arritola (12 digs), Alexis McMurtrey (23 assists, 15 digs)
- Southern Oregon Leaders: Marin Mackey (18 kills), Mylena Testoni (12 kills, .417 hitting percentage), Sadie Byrd (7 blocks)
Eastern Oregon will return home and look to get back on track against Northwest University on Friday, set to start at 6:00 p.m. at Quinn Coliseum.
