CALDWELL, Idaho – Facing a pair of teams in the latest NAIA Top-25 Coaches' Poll, The College of Idaho battled in both matches, but veteran teams from Carroll College and Dordt University earned 3-set wins over the Coyotes to close out play at the C of I-EOU Fall Classic.
Dordt (5-0), ranked No. 5 in the NAIA poll, claimed the tournament title with a perfect 4-0 record, while Carroll (5-3), which received votes in poll, earned a pair of Saturday wins.
MATCH 1 – Carroll 3, College of Idaho 0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-21): The block of the Saints was the story, as Carroll middle blocker Taelyr Krantz finished the match with 12 kills and 12 blocks – as the visitors held a 15-4 blocking edge at the net.
The senior All-American set the tone in Set 1, recording four blocks in a 15-7 run to open the set. C of I (3-5) battled back in Set 2, taking a 11-10 lead on an
Emily Vandenberg kill, only to watch Krantz record two blocks and a kill in a 7-1 run to give the visitors a lead they would not surrender. The Yotes kept Set 3 close, getting within 23-21 on a
Leyah de Souza kill, but following a side out, Krantz ended the match with a kill.
C of I was led by de Souza, as the freshman posted a career-high 13 kills. Vandenberg added eight kills and setter
Sydnee Steel had 18 assists and 13 digs.
MATCH 2 – Dordt 3, College of Idaho 0 (25-23, 25-10, 25-22): Corrina Timmermans led all players with 18 kills, as the Defenders outlasted a determined C of I squad in the first and third sets.
The upset-minded Yotes had the defending national semifinalists on the ropes in Set 1, as three Vandenberg kills fueled a 7-1 push to give the hosts a 15-11 lead. The margin swelled to 21-16 after a de Souza-
Cameron Wallace combo block, before DU found their rhythm defensively – forcing five C of I hitting errors in an 8-1 run to end the set.
The Defenders kept the rally going in Set 2, as Timmermans had five kills in an early 10-0 run that broke the frame wide open.
C of I responded in Set 3, as de Souza hammered consecutive kills to give the Yotes a 13-10 lead. DU countered with Timmermans, recording three kills a run to regain the lead. The Coyotes cut the gap to 24-22, but could not closer.
Danielle Neuman led the Yotes with 10 kills, with Vandenberg and de Souza each adding seven. Setter
Sidney Frith posted 15 assists and eight digs.
In other matches today, Eastern Oregon and Carroll each swept The Master's in three sets, while Dordt earned a 3-set win over Montana Western.
C of I, in the midst of a 9-game homestand, opens Cascade Conference play next weekend, hosting Corban and Bushnell.
