CALDWELL, Idaho – The College of Idaho Yotes swept No. 9 Corban University in three sets, 28-26, 25-16, 25-13, in a commanding home victory at the J.A. Albertson Activities Center. The win not only marked a significant milestone for head coach Liz Mendiola, who broke 500 career wins, but also served as the Yotes' second top-10 sweep in two weeks after defeating No. 5 Southern Oregon last weekend.
How It Happened
Set 1:
The Yotes faced a tough battle in the opening set. Corban's Makayla Roginski and Kendra Bittle helped the Warriors jump out to an early lead, but College of Idaho clawed their way back with kills from Mia Hutchinson and Alexa Wheeler. Down set point, the Yotes fought off Corban and finally secured the 28-26 win with clutch plays from Hutchinson and Wheeler.
Set 2:
Riding the momentum from their thrilling first-set win, College of Idaho took over in the second set. Behind a potent .342 hitting percentage and strong play from Shelbey Nichol and Hutchinson, the Yotes overpowered Corban. With Capri Salmon serving up aces and the defense holding Corban to a .000 attack percentage, the Yotes cruised to a 25-16 win.
Set 3:
The final set saw College of Idaho fully assert their dominance. The Yotes' front line, led by Hutchinson and Wheeler, stifled Corban's attack, holding the Warriors to a negative hitting percentage. With blocks coming from all directions, the Yotes built an early lead and never looked back, taking the set 25-13 and sealing their second consecutive sweep of a top-10 opponent.
Big Plays & Key Stats
Defensive Prowess
College of Idaho's defense shut down Corban's offense, holding them to a .078 hitting percentage. Althea Sandoval led the way with 14 digs, while Hutchinson and Wheeler controlled the net and each contibuted heavily to the team's 24 total blocks.
For Corban, Makayla Roginski led with 11 kills, while setter Abby Guindy had 17 assists, but the Warriors struggled to find answers against the Yotes' balanced attack and strong defense.
Mendiola's 500th Win
The sweep marked head coach Liz Mendiola's 500th career win. Reflecting on the milestone, Mendiola said, "I've been blessed to be surrounded by amazing athletes and coaches. I'd love to know the exact number, but our current coaching staff was part of probably 400 of those wins." This impressive achievement reflects the hard work and commitment of everyone involved, showcasing the strength of the coaching staff and the athletes they guide.
