CALDWELL, Idaho - In front of their biggest and loudest crowd of the season, the College of Idaho volleyball team delivered a thrilling finish Friday night, outlasting rival Lewis-Clark State in five sets (25-21, 13-25, 19-25, 27-25, 15-8) to wrap up the Cascade Collegiate Conference regular season on a high note.
The Yotes (18-9, 12-8 CCC) stormed back from a 2-1 deficit behind a raucous Jae Boots Night crowd, using a late rally to win the fourth set and riding that momentum through the decisive fifth. Sophomore Cierra Bohrn powered the attack with 13 kills and six blocks, while Mia Hutchinson added 13 kills on .297 hitting. Abigail Flerchinger turned in another strong effort in the middle with 11 kills and five blocks, and Freshman setter Shaynee McWilliams fueled the offense with 29 assists and 11 digs.
The match ended in dramatic fashion as Alexa Wheeler stuffed a Lewis-Clark attack for a solo block on match point, sealing the Yotes' victory and sending the home crowd into a roar. Wheeler finished with nine block assists and that emphatic solo stop to cap the program's regular-season finale.
Lewis-Clark State (15-7, 12-7) was led by Juliauna Forgach Aguilar, who recorded a match-high 22 kills, and Karissa Lindner, who hit .562 with 10 kills and four blocks. Despite their offensive firepower, the Warriors couldn't overcome the Yotes' late-set defense and home-court energy.
The win capped a 2-0 weekend at home and gave the Yotes strong momentum heading into postseason play after finishing the regular season 18-9 overall.
