PORTLAND, Ore. – A balanced hitting afternoon helped the College of Idaho end a two-match losing streak with a 30-28, 25-21, 28-26 victory over Warner Pacific College inside C.C. Perry Gym.
Five different Lady Yotes (13-10, 10-4 CCC) had at least eight kills in the win, as C of I clinched a spot in the Cascade Conference Championships for the 16th straight season.
Set 1 featured 20 ties and 11 lead changes, as the Coyotes had three set points and the Knights (5-15, 3-12) had two, including a 28-27 lead on a C of I hitting error. However, a WP hitting error and back-to-back combo-blocks by Emily Ottinger and Randi Sturtz helped the visitors grab the opening frame.
The middle set was all square at 18-18, but an Ottinger kill, a Knights hitting error, and a Sierra Porter ace gave the Lady Yotes the lead for good.
The Knights had a chance in Set 3, rallying from a 22-19 deficit to earn three set points – two after kills from Janessa White. Unfortunately for WP, a service error and two hitting errors handed the Yotes the set and match win.
Bailee Kendall led the Yotes with 11 kills, with Katy Robinson adding 10. Ottinger had nine kills, Janessa Koelliker tied a season-high with nine kills, and Sturtz had a season-high eight kills and five blocks. Porter recorded 39 assists and Cheyan Coburn had 12 digs.
White led WP with 17 kills, with Devan Belshe recording 11 kills and 10 digs.
C of I returns home Friday to host No. 11 Southern Oregon at 7 p.m.
