Coyote Volleyball Splits Openers Against Nationally Ranked Foes
SALT LAKE CITY -- The College of Idaho volleyball team made its 2008 debut at the NAIA Tournament of Champions at Salt Lake Community College and split a pair of matches against nationally ranked foes -- upending host and No. 24 ranked Westminster in three sets, but losing a tough four-set match to No. 3 ranked Concordia-Irvine.
In the opener, the No. 9 ranked Coyotes (1-1) earned a 25-17, 25-20, 25-20 win over the host Griffins, thanks to a stellar match from Sarah Buhler. The junior had a career-high 17 kills in the victory, as the Yotes avenged a season-opening loss to Westminster last season.
Madie Machurek led the way with 36 assists, while Stacie Drumm had a career-high 23 digs, as did Courtney Gamel, who had 17 digs.
Match 2 was a see-saw affair with the defending national semifinalists, as the Yotes lost 25-20, 21-25, 25-21, 25-18 to the California school.
Jessie Link was the offensive star for the Yotes, recording a career-high 11 kills, while Buhler added ten kills and three block assists. Machurek had her first double-double of the year with 33 assists and 11 digs, while Naomi Reimer added 17 digs and three aces.
The downfall was in the fourth set, as the Yotes saw the Eagles use an 11-2 push to end the match. Lindsey Campbell led Concordia with 18 kills and 17 digs.
The Yotes close out tournament play tomorrow at Noon, meeting Division II Mesa State.