Yotes Fall to Oregon Tech in 5-Set Thriller

CALDWELL, Idaho – A gutsy performance by The College of Idaho volleyball team fell just short, as the Yotes dropped a 5-set thriller to Oregon Tech in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.
 
The Yotes (12-15, 9-10 CCC) rallied late in the fourth set to even the match, while OIT battled back from a 12-9 deficit in Set 5 to earn the road win.
 
Danielle Neuman led the Coyotes with 19 kills and six blocks and Austyn Mauzy added 16 kills – as the duo were instrumental in the Set 4 flurry.
 
The Owls (19-5, 15-4) looked to have the match won, leading 23-19 in Set 4, but emphatic kills from both Neuman and Mauzy fueled a 4-point C of I run. A side out gave Tech match point, but Mauzy tied the score at 24-24 with a winner down the line. After the teams traded side-outs, Neuman gave the Yotes the lead with a cross-court winner and ended the set with a stuff block in a 1-on-1 situation.
 
C of I had a shot in Set 5, scoring 5-straight points, capped by consecutive Mauzy kills, to lead 12-9. OIT answered with three quick points of their own, before a Mauzy kill gave the Coyotes their final lead at 13-12. A serving error tied the score and following a Nicole Reyes kill, Tech completed the rally with an Aubrey Kievit ace to end the match.
 
Kaylin Talonen led all players with 22 kills – as the OIT outside hitter had eight kills in Set 3 alone, as the Owls never trailed in the period.
 
The two teams split the opening two sets – Tech using a 12-2 run to erase a C of I 12-8 lead in Set 1, while C of I broke a 12-12 tie with a 9-2 run to even the match.
 
Sidney Frith recorded the Yotes first 20-20 match since 2018, posting career-highs with 45 assists and 20 digs, while libero Sydnee Steel had a career-high 27 digs and led C of I with three aces.
 
Faith Houck-Wylie and Reyes each had 15 kills for OIT, with Kievit leading all players with 28 digs.
 
C of I closes out their home schedule tomorrow night at 5 p.m., hosting Southern Oregon. Prior to the match, the Yotes will honor their four senior student-athletes – Mauzy, Neuman, Cameron Wallace and Masie Hancock.