LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University No. 1 Volleyball extended its win streak Friday night in Eugene, defeating (RV) Bushnell University, 3-1 (17-25, 25-18, 25-12, 25-22).
The Mountaineers dropped their first set of conference play as Bushnell jumped out to an early 4-0 lead and never looked back. Eastern Oregon struggled to find its rhythm, as the Beacons capitalized on several EOU attack errors and added multiple service aces. Bushnell closed the set on a 5-0 run, including three consecutive aces, to take the opening frame 25-17.
Eastern Oregon bounced back in set two, opening with a 4-0 lead behind an
Akylah Kaino kill and a
Brooke Womack service ace. The teams traded points through the early stretch, with EOU maintaining a four-point advantage. The Beacons eventually cut the lead to two, but the Mountaineers responded with back-to-back kills from Womack and Brooke Vaughn to extend the lead to 12-7. Bushnell battled back to even the set at 15-15 behind four kills and a service ace. EOU quickly regained control, taking a 20-16 lead behind kills from
Ava Semprimoznik,
Brooklyn Willard, and
Jule Whitley. The Mountaineers closed the set by taking five of the final six points, as
Mylie Mills and Womack combined for a block while Womack and Vaughn each added two kills to secure the 25-18 victory.
The Mountaineers carried the momentum into the third set, with Womack opening the frame with a block before
Kate Stidham followed with back-to-back service aces to give EOU a 3-0 lead. Eastern Oregon quickly extended its advantage to 9-2 as Kaino, Mills, and Whitley anchored the defense at the net. The Beacons cut their deficit in half with a pair of kills, but the Mountaineers responded with an eight-point run. Willard and Whitley contributed kills,
Sidney Friesen added service aces, and Whitley and Willard teamed up for two blocks during the run. EOU added another five-point run to push its lead to 23-6. Bushnell responded with a five-point run of its own, but it wasn't enough, as Willard and Womack delivered the final two kills to give the Mountaineers a 25-12 set victory.
The Beacons attempted to push the Mountaineers into their second five-set match of the season, but Eastern Oregon held on to take a tightly contested fourth set. Bushnell jumped out to a 4-1 lead, but EOU quickly regained the advantage at 6-5 behind kills from Kaino, Vaughn, and Willard. A 6-1 run then pushed the Mountaineers' lead to 12-7. Bushnell answered with a series of kills to cut the deficit to two, but EOU responded with a six-point run sparked by four Vaughn kills to take a 22-14 lead. The Beacons refused to go quietly, battling back to make it a one-point set. Whitley, however, delivered the final blow with a strong swing at the net to secure the 25-22 set victory and the 3-1 match win.
Overall, the Mountaineers hit .234 on the night while holding the Beacons to a .167 hitting percentage. EOU held advantages in kills (48-45), service aces (11-8), and blocks (8-5). Vaughn led all players with 14 kills and added a block assist. Womack recorded her third double-double of the season with 10 kills and 19 digs, while also contributing a block assist. Willard, Mills, and Whitley each anchored the defense at the net with 4.0 blocks apiece.
Jaycee Villastrigo added 18 digs, while Semprimoznik and Stidham orchestrated the offense with 21 and 20 assists, respectively.
Eastern Oregon will continue Cascade Collegiate Conference play tomorrow, September 19, at No. 6 Corban University. First serve is scheduled for 4 p.m. PT.
