Box Score LA GRANDE, Ore. - Playing without their top hitter and their top setter, the College of Idaho gave an admirable effort at No. 12 ranked Eastern Oregon before dropping a 25-19, 25-14, 26-24 decision at Quinn Coliseum.
The Lady Yotes (15-2, 7-2 CCC) fell into a first-place tie with EOU and Corban - as C of I was without the services of the league's leading setter (
Marija Djonovic) and their leading outside (
Brenna Meehan).
Big runs in the first two sets paced Eastern (14-5, 8-2) - using a 14-4 run in Set 1 to pull away from a 10-9 score, while scoring a 13 of 18 points to extend an 9-8 lead.
The Yotes held the edge early in Set 3, as a
Mali Sawyer spike gave the visitors a 13-8 lead. EOU roared back with a 10-2 run, including consecutive blocks from Madisen Garlie. C of I drew even at 21-21 - but after nine consecutive side-outs, a Hailie Ackerman kill for the Mounties ended the match.
Ashley Pagan shouldered the load of the Yotes attack, leading the team with 13 kills and 12 digs, while freshman
Drew Dobney was pushed into setting duty - finishing with 17 assists. Amanda Miller led all players with 14 kills for EOU.
C of I closes out the first half of the league season on Saturday with an evening match at Walla Walla.
