CALDWELL, Idaho — The College of Idaho women's volleyball team pulled off a major upset Saturday, sweeping No. 5 Southern Oregon in three sets (25-18, 25-19, 25-11). The victory not only avenged an earlier four-set loss to the Raiders but also extended the Yotes' home win streak to six matches.
How It Happened:
The Yotes came out strong in the first set, winning 25-18 with a balanced attack and stout defense. Haley McUne and Shelbey Nichol led the offensive effort early, with McUne finishing the match with a game-high 15 kills on an impressive .393 hitting percentage. Nichol added 10 kills, hitting .273, and played a key role in keeping the Raiders on their heels.
In the second set, Southern Oregon pushed back, but the Yotes stayed in control. College of Idaho limited the Raiders to a .158 hitting percentage in the set while capitalizing on errors to win 25-19. The Yotes recorded a solid .256 hitting percentage in the set, with Mia Hutchinson adding 9 kills on a .278 clip, and Abby Draghici stepping up with key blocks to halt Southern Oregon's momentum.
The third set was the most dominant for the Yotes, as they cruised to a 25-11 victory. College of Idaho hit a scorching .367 as a team, while holding the Raiders to just .034. Draghici was a force at the net, contributing five block assists, and the Yotes registered 12 total blocks in the match. McUne and Nichol delivered clutch kills down the stretch to seal the sweep.
Southern Oregon's top hitter, Megan Perry, managed 8 kills on a .333 percentage, but the Raiders struggled to find offensive rhythm against the Yotes' defense. The Yotes finished the match with 46 kills to the Raiders' 28, showcasing their dominance in every facet of the game.
