FULLERTON, Calif. – The College of Idaho split in its two matches on the first day of the Hope International University Summer Slam on Friday. The Yotes (2-4) picked up a straight set win over UC Merced, 27-25, 25-21, 25-18 to begin the day before a five-set loss to The Master's, 25-23, 29-27, 15-25, 16-25, 15-7 at the conclusion of the day.
In the first match of the day,
Gabriella Rios paced the Yotes with 10 kills and a .252 hitting percentage for the straight-set win. College of Idaho recorded 11 service aces with
Liza Montalbo sparking a service game with three of the Yotes' 11 service aces. The 11 aces were the most by a C of I squad since they served 12 aces against Warner Pacific, last year on September 17.
Rios had four kills each in the first and third set and teammate
Janae Rayborn added three kills in the second and third set en route to an eight-kill effort. Also, with eight kills was
Jade Warren in the win. The 11 aces were an all-around team effort with seven-different players recording an ace. The play in the net saw Co of I record nine service aces.
Also, in the winning efforts,
Clair Hodge and Montalbo provided 20 and 10 digs, respectively.
Jerzie Pluid added two block solos and four block assists; plus,
Savannah Hutchins and
Analise Hitchcock were credited for 18 and 12 assists, respectively.
The second match of the day saw College of Idaho play its third five-set match of the young season. The Yotes recorded 16 service aces – the most since a 20-ace effort against Walla Walla on October 18, 2019.
On the attack,
Janae Rayborn had 13 kills on her way to a .387 hitting percentage and
Jade Warren added 10 kills and a .429 hitting percentage to go along with nine blocks in the loss. Plus,
Savannah Hutchins recorded a double double with 16 assists and 10 digs and
Clair Hodge added a team-high 22 digs to go along with four aces to lead the squad.
In the decisive fifth set, the two teams went back and forth as the Yotes came out of a timeout to tie the set at six. The Master's outscored C of I by a 9-1 margin on its way to the win.
Next up for College of Idaho are matches against Rocky Mountain at 8 a.m. (PST)/9 a.m. (MT) and Vanguard at noon (PST)/1 p.m. (MT) to wrap up the weekend on Saturday.
