SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Riding a combined 30 kills from middle blockers
Jackie van Vliet and
Alaina Slater, the College of Idaho upset fifth-ranked Northwestern (Iowa) in four sets to claim the Pool E crown at the NAIA Volleyball National Championships inside Tyson Events Center.
The Lady Yotes (27-6) toppled the Red Raiders 25-14, 25-22, 18-25, 25-20 to win their pool for the first time ever at the Championships and just the third time a C of I team has defeated a squad ranked No. 5 or higher.
C of I advances to the Round of 16, meeting No. 11 ranked Midland (Neb.) tomorrow at 11:15 a.m. (CT)
Van Vliet equaled a career-high with 18 kills, while Slater had 12 kills in the victory.
The Yotes bolted from the gates – recording 17 kills and just two attack errors in the opening frame. Leading 6-5, C of I scored 12 of the next 16 points – getting a pair of kills from both
Brenna Meehan and
Taylor Alexander, while forcing five Red Raider (30-5) hitting errors – equaling NC's worst set loss of the season.
Trailing 7-6 in Set 2, three
Ashley Pagan kills paved the way for a 6-1 C of I run – giving the Purple and Gold a lead they would not surrender. The margin would extend to 19-12 on a Meehan kill, before the Red Raiders chipped away, getting within 24-22 after an A.J. Horstman-Anna Kiel combo-block. However, Karsyn Winterfield missed the next serve for the Iowa squad – handing C of I the set victory.
NC turned the tables in Set 3, recording a pair of combo-blocks in a five-point push to break an 8-8 tight, with a Lauryn Hilger ace giving the Raiders a 17-10 lead en route – helping the Great Plains Athletic Conference squad force a fourth set.
After 11 ties and five lead changes in the decisive set, van Vliet took command late, pounding down three kills and adding a stuff block on match point – as the Yotes closed the match on an 8-3 run.
Pagan had 10 kills and 15 digs, Alexander had 10 kills and Meehan had six kills and 17 digs in the victory. Setter
Marija Djonovic continued her stellar play, logging 51 assists and 12 digs, while
Kilee Lopez had 19 kills and a match-high three aces.
Kiel had 11 kills and five blocks, with Makenzie Fink recording 11 kills and 10 digs in the loss for NC.
