CALDWELL, Idaho — College of Idaho's six-match home winning streak came to an end Friday night with a 3-1 loss to Bushnell in Cascade Conference volleyball action. The Beacons took the match by scores of 25-17, 25-23, 11-25, and 25-21.
Mia Hutchinson led the Yotes with 15 kills, hitting .235. Shelbey Nichol added 10 kills on a .409 hitting percentage, while Haley McUne chipped in six kills and nine digs. Abby Draghici and Jessica Stires each recorded five blocks.
Bushnell was powered by Hailey Heider's 14 kills and three service aces, while Matty Ladd contributed 12 kills, hitting .364. The Beacons posted a .203 attack percentage overall, including a blistering .394 in the fourth set.
How It Happened:
Bushnell set the tone early, coming out aggressive in the first set with a .357 attack percentage. College of Idaho struggled to find their rhythm, allowing the Beacons to jump ahead and take the set 25-17.
The second set was much tighter, with the Yotes bouncing back and leading at several points. Key kills from Shelbey Nichol and blocks by Draghici and Stires helped keep it close. However, a late push from Bushnell, led by Hailey Heider's consistent hitting, edged out College of Idaho 25-23 in a set that could have gone either way.
In the third, the Yotes found their spark. Hutchinson and Nichol powered the attack as College of Idaho dominated with a .381 hitting percentage while holding Bushnell to a .000 clip. The Yotes cruised to an 11-25 win, looking poised to complete a comeback.
However, the fourth set saw Bushnell regain control. The Beacons' offense fired back, posting a .394 attack percentage. Matty Ladd and Ariana Guerra provided timely kills as Bushnell pulled ahead midway through the set. Despite a spirited defensive effort by College of Idaho, including multiple blocks from Draghici and Stires, the Yotes couldn't keep pace, falling 25-21 as Bushnell sealed the match.
The College of Idaho will take on No. 9 Corban on Saturday night at home.
