Yotes Split on Opening Day of Seaside Invitational
SAN DIEGO -- The College of Idaho volleyball team split a pair of matches on the opening day of the 2008 Seaside Invitational here, routing Mount Marty (S.D.) in the opener in three-sets, then watching No. 8-ranked Point Loma Nazarene rally from a 2-1 deficit to top the Yotes in five sets.
The No. 9 ranked Coyotes (2-3) won the first match of the day against the Lancers, 25-16, 25-18, 25-6 - as all 13 ladies that made the trip to California were able to see game action.
Sarah Buhler led the way with 11 kills - including five in each of the first two sets. Kristin Henning added eight kills, with Jessie Link adding six kills in only ten swings. Madie Machurek and Naomi Reimer combined for 29 assists, seven aces, and nine digs from the setter position, while Courtney Gamel had nine digs.
The feature match of the night against a pair of Top-10 teams was all it was billed to be, as the Sea Lions (2-0) took the match 25-19, 19-25, 21-25, 25-23, 15-13.
The Lady Yotes were in position to steal the victory in Set 4, holding a 23-21 edge, however, three consecutive C of I hitting errors and a ball handling error handed it to PLNU. In the finale, the match was tied at 11-11, before the Sea Lions scored three points. The Coyotes staved off a pair of match points, before a C of I attack was blocked at the net to close out the match.
Buhler and Kathryn Ely led the way with 13 kills, with Henning adding ten kills and four blocks. Marcella Hernandez had a well-rounded night, recording three kills, three aces, five digs, and ten blocks. Machurek had 29 assists, with Stacie Drumm recording 14 digs.
The Lady Yotes return to the court tomorrow, meeting No. 10 ranked Madonna (Mich.) at 11 a.m. and Ashford (Iowa) at 3 p.m.