Box Score CALDWELL, Idaho – The College of Idaho volleyball team celebrated Senior Night in winning fashion Friday evening, sweeping Warner Pacific University in straight sets (25-22, 25-10, 25-15) at Elgin Baylor Arena. The victory improved the Yotes to 23-2 overall and 16-2 in Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) play as they closed out their regular-season home schedule.
The Yotes delivered a balanced offensive performance, recording 47 kills and a .282 hitting percentage while holding the Knights to just 13 kills and a -.034 hitting percentage. College of Idaho also finished with 51 digs, seven service aces and seven team blocks in the victory.
Senior Alexa Wheeler led the offensive effort with a match-high 10 kills on 14 attempts, hitting an impressive .500 while adding three block assists and a service ace. Fellow senior Kelsy Stanger contributed eight kills and three block assists, while Jessica Stires added seven kills on a .375 hitting percentage.
The opening set proved to be the most competitive of the evening, as Warner Pacific kept the score close throughout. After several lead changes and late rallies by the Knights, the Yotes held on for a 25-22 victory behind a 20-kill performance in the frame.
College of Idaho found its rhythm in the second set, limiting Warner Pacific to just four kills and a -.107 hitting percentage. The Yotes hit .296 in the frame and cruised to a 25-10 win to take a commanding two-set advantage.
The momentum carried into the third set, where College of Idaho posted its most efficient offensive performance of the night, hitting .303 with 15 kills. The Yotes secured the sweep with a 25-15 victory, completing their final regular-season home match on a high note.
Several players contributed to the victory, including Abigail Flerchinger, who recorded five kills without an error on seven attempts for a .714 hitting percentage, along with four block assists. Julia Baird added four kills on six attempts, while Addison McKarcher finished with three kills on four swings.
The Yotes' setters helped distribute the offense, with Shaynee McWilliams recording 21 assists and Whitney Pierzga adding 17. Defensively, Keylee Wilson and Liza Montalbo each collected eight digs, while Avery Lewis contributed seven digs and a match-high three service aces.
For Warner Pacific (0-18, 0-17 CCC), Tayah-Anne Toa led the Knights with seven kills, while Maya Moreno anchored the defense with a match-high 14 digs. Amor Rapoza and Daisci Burrows each recorded five assists.
Friday's matchup also marked Senior Night for College of Idaho, recognizing the contributions of the program's graduating players as the Yotes celebrated their final regular-season appearance in front of the home crowd.
With the regular-season home schedule complete, College of Idaho now turns its attention to its final two CCC matchups on the road. The Yotes will travel to Lewis-Clark State College on Friday, November 6, at 7 p.m., before concluding conference play at Walla Walla University on Saturday, November 7, at 5 p.m.
Following the regular-season finale, College of Idaho will shift its focus to the CCC Volleyball Championships, scheduled for November 10-14, as the Yotes look to carry their momentum into postseason competition.
