Box Score LA GRANDE, Ore. — After a grueling quarterfinal victory earlier in the day, the No. 5-seeded College of Idaho Yotes fell in straight sets to host and top-seeded Eastern Oregon (25-18, 25-16, 25-21) in the Cascade Collegiate Conference semifinals Friday evening at Quinn Coliseum.
Fatigue appeared to take a toll on the Yotes, who struggled to match Eastern Oregon's fresh legs and relentless attack. Alexa Wheeler led the Yotes with seven kills, hitting at a stellar .667 clip, while Shelbey Nichol contributed nine kills and added three block assists. Setter Savannah Hutchins recorded 17 assists and six digs, helping facilitate the attack, while Mia Hutchinson chipped in with seven kills on a .353 hitting percentage. Jerzie Bair contributed three kills and two block assists, and Capri Salmon added nine assists and one service ace.
The Yotes' defense faced a formidable Eastern Oregon squad that capitalized on its balance and efficiency, hitting .296 as a team. Kiauna Mack paced the Mountaineers with nine kills, while Keira Vaughn delivered 10 kills at a .562 hitting rate. Eastern Oregon's strong service game, highlighted by nine aces, and dominance at the net with 16 block assists proved too much to overcome.
Despite the defeat, College of Idaho showed resilience, particularly in a competitive third set where they narrowed the gap before the Mountaineers sealed the victory. Now, the Yotes await the NAIA Tournament selection show on Monday, hopeful for an opportunity to extend their season and continue their journey on the national stage.
