PORTLAND, Ore. — The College of Idaho Volleyball team triumphed over Multnomah University with a 3-1 win (22-25, 25-14, 25-17, 25-16) in their match on November 9, 2024. The Yotes demonstrated offensive prowess and defensive resilience, boosting their season record to 18-12.
In the opening set, Multnomah capitalized on a few early errors by the Yotes, taking the set 25-22. Despite the initial setback, College of Idaho rallied with strong offensive displays. Mia Hutchinson led the Yotes in kills with 11, finishing with an impressive .391 hitting percentage, while Shelbey Nichol contributed 11 kills and a .375 hitting efficiency. Jessica Stires added another 11 kills on a .500 clip, aiding in the comeback.
The Yotes' defense was equally impactful, with Haley McUne notching 13 digs and Liza Montalbo contributing 23 digs, disrupting Multnomah's attack rhythm. Abby Draghici made a significant impact at the net with 5 block assists, while McUne added 4 block assists to stymie Multnomah's offense. Setter Savannah Hutchins orchestrated the offense effectively, tallying 25 assists.
Service play also proved vital for the Yotes, as Madeline Lee scored 4 service aces. The Yotes' serving strength was evident with a total of 6 aces, which pressured Multnomah throughout the match. After their first-set loss, the Yotes dominated the remaining sets with high hitting percentages, finishing with an overall team hitting rate of .296, compared to Multnomah's .043.
With this victory, the College of Idaho solidifies its competitive form heading into postseason play. The Yotes will look to continue their momentum in upcoming matches as they pursue further success in the Cascade Collegiate Conference tournament with the schedule still to be determined.
