OLYMPIA, Wash. – Down two sets and facing a four point deficit in Set 3, the College of Idaho used a furious rally to escape with a 22-25, 17-25, 25-18, 25-20, 15-12 victory inside Costantino Recreation Center.
The No. 8 ranked Lady Yotes (13-1, 5-1 CCC) used six team blocks in both the third and fifth sets – overcoming 11 service aces by the host Geoducks.
The Geoducks (4-9, 1-5) cruised through the first two sets – scoring the final three points of Set 1 to earn the win, while bolting to a 10-3 lead in Set 2 – combining for 31 total kills.
Trailing 7-3 in Set 3, the Coyotes rattled off five-straight points on the serve of
Ashley Pagan and pulled away thanks to four kills each from
Brenna Meehan and
Mali Sawyer. C of I forced the fifth set by breaking an 11-11 tie with a 5-0 run, keyed by a pair of kill from
Taylor Alexander.
The deciding set went back and force, as C of I took leads of 3-0 and 6-3, before got a kill from Lehualani Keka to regain the edge at 9-8.
Jackie van Vliet took over, smashing a kill – followed by three straight block assists to help the Yotes extend a lead to 14-10, finishing the match with her fifth block assist of the period.
Meehan had 12 kills and a team-high 18 digs to lead the Yotes, with Alexander adding 12 kills and six blocks.
Alaina Slater had 11 kills and five blocks, with
Marija Djonovic recording 46 assists, 10 digs, four blocks and four aces.
Natalie Taylor had 17 kills and 11 digs to lead TESC, with Chloee Hunt adding 15 kills. Libero Tori Wegdahl led all players with 35 digs.
C of I returns home next weekend for matches against nationally-ranked Corban and Northwest Christian.
