ASHLAND, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon No.2 ranked Volleyball team rolled to another win, defeating No.24 ranked Southern Oregon in three straight sets (25-21, 25-13, 25-20) Saturday night.
The opening set was a back-and-forth battle, with Southern Oregon matching EOU's early offensive production. The two teams traded points throughout the opening stretch, with
Keira Vaughn and
Akylah Kaino providing a steady offensive presence for the Mountaineers while Southern Oregon answered with attacks from Friley Curtiss and Tessa Zimmermann.
EOU began to create separation midway through the set, using kills from Kaino and
Brooke Womack and a service ace from
Jaycee Villastrigo to build a four-point advantage at 12-8.
Madison Vaughn added a service ace as the Mountaineers continued to pressure the Raiders at the net. Southern Oregon made a late push to close the gap, but EOU maintained their composure and finished the set 25-21.
The Mountaineers carried their momentum into the second set, quickly building a lead behind strong attacking. After opening with a kill from
Mylie Mills, EOU strung together points from Vaughn, Womack and Kaino to move ahead 5-1.
Madison Vaughn delivered three consecutive aces during a decisive stretch, helping the Mountaineers extend their advantage to 13-6. The Mountaineers closed out the frame 25-13, taking a commanding two-set lead.
Southern Oregon showed renewed fight in the third set, but EOU's early execution once again put the Mountaineers in control. Vaughn opened the scoring with a kill, and Kaino followed with an attack that helped EOU establish a 5-1 lead. A pair of blocks from
Brooke Womack and
Mylie Mills further disrupted the Raiders' attack.
The Mountaineers maintained their advantage through the middle of the set, with
Jule Whitley contributing at the net and
Brooklyn Willard adding a service ace. EOU extended its lead to 13-6 before Southern Oregon began chipping away. The Raiders pulled within four points at 21-17, but the Mountaineers responded with a crucial service ace from
Brooke Womack and a Vaughn-Whitley block. Vaughn then delivered the finishing kill, securing a 25-20 set victory and completing the sweep.
Vaughn paced the Mountaineers with 13 kills, while Kaino added 11 and Whitley contributed eight. Stidham orchestrated the offense with 35 assists and added three service aces.
Madison Vaughn led EOU with four aces, while Villastrigo contributed three aces and a team-high 12 digs.
The Mountaineers will return to action Wednesday October 30, traveling to No.5 College of Idaho at 7 p.m. MT.
