SALEM, Ore. - No. 9 College of Idaho split its final day at the conference-opening weekend Saturday, avenging a Friday sweep with a 3-2 victory over Bushnell University before falling to No. 2 Corban University, 4-1, at the Corban Beach Volleyball Courts.
The Yotes closed the weekend at 2-2 overall, earning a key bounce-back win in the morning dual before running into the host Warriors.
Against Bushnell, the Beacons struck first at No. 2 as Olivia Kelzenberg and Jazmyn Wilcox secured a 21-19, 21-10 win. Bushnell also claimed the exhibition court to take early momentum.
College of Idaho responded behind Kadance Jacobson and Emily Lettenmaier at No. 4, who delivered a tight 22-20, 21-18 straight-sets victory to even the dual. The Yotes then grabbed control when Greta Valaika and Liza Montalbo earned a 21-18, 21-18 win at the top flight.
Faith Faucher and Ellie Baker added the decisive point at No. 3 with a 21-15, 21-16 triumph, clinching the 3-2 team win before Bushnell closed the day with a point at No. 5. The order of finish reflected the back-and-forth battle, with four of the five counting courts decided in straight sets.
In the afternoon matchup, Corban showed why it holds the No. 2 national ranking, taking four of five courts in a 4-1 decision.
The Warriors opened with an exhibition win and then outlasted Carolina Moreno Rubio and Sophia White at No. 2 in three sets, 18-21, 21-14, 15-9. The Yotes answered at No. 4, where Jacobson and Lettenmaier rallied for a 20-22, 21-18, 15-12 victory to briefly pull the dual within reach.
Corban sealed the match at No. 1 and No. 5 in straight sets, while the final court at No. 3 went to the Warriors to complete the 4-1 result.
College of Idaho will look to build on its split as conference play continues, highlighted by Saturday's resilient response in the morning dual.
