EUGENE, Ore.- The College of Idaho volleyball team fell short in a five-set thriller against Bushnell University, losing 25-22, 21-25, 25-10, 22-25, 18-20, in Cascade Collegiate Conference action on Saturday in Eugene, Oregon.
The Yotes (7-7, 3-3 CCC) were led by Haley McUne, who tallied 12 kills and 22 digs, while Shelbey Nichol added 12 kills and three blocks. Janae Rayborn also contributed with 11 kills and 10 digs. Despite a dominant third set where the Yotes hit .737, they couldn't maintain their momentum in the decisive fifth set.
Bushnell (9-6, 4-3 CCC) was paced by Leah Agost, who recorded 15 kills and hit .361, and Ariana Guerra, who added 15 kills and three aces. The Beacons rallied late in the fifth set, overcoming a 7-3 deficit to edge out the Yotes and claim the match.
The Yotes will look to bounce back as they continue their road trip next week.
How it happened:
The match was tightly contested from the start, with College of Idaho taking the opening set 25-22. The Yotes built an early lead, capitalizing on Bushnell errors and kills by Haley McUne and Janae Rayborn. However, Bushnell responded in the second set, pulling away late for a 25-21 victory behind strong serving from Hailey Heider and key kills by Leah Agost and Ariana Guerra.
College of Idaho dominated the third set, winning 25-10, thanks to a combination of Bushnell errors and efficient offense from Shelbey Nichol and Alexa Wheeler. The Yotes hit .737 in the set, with McUne leading the charge.
The Beacons fought back in the fourth set, using a 6-0 run to pull ahead 19-11. The Yotes closed the gap late, but Bushnell held on for a 25-22 win, forcing a decisive fifth set.
In the final set, College of Idaho jumped out to a 7-3 lead, fueled by kills from McUne and Nichol. However, Bushnell rallied back, tying the score at 14-14. A kill by Guerra and a service ace gave the Beacons the edge, and they ultimately sealed the set 20-18, completing the comeback victory.
