Madie Machurek had 14 assists and 22 digs in Yotes win
CALDWELL, Idaho - The College of Idaho ran their win streak to nine matches in a row against their Canyon County rival, as the Lady Yotes swept Northwest Nazarene, 25-18, 25-20, 25-23, in a non-conference volleyball contest inside the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.
The NAIA No. 13 ranked Coyotes (16-4) have now won 11-straight matches overall in the second straight-set sweep of the Division II Crusaders.
Set 1 saw the Yotes use a 13-3 push to break open a 5-4 score – getting five kills from Sarah Harris and four team blocks to notch the opening win. The middle frame saw NNU (5-13) take a 14-11 lead on a Becky Flores kill, but The C of I responded, as back-to-back Ciciley Fox kills sparked a 9-2 run that gave the hosts the lead for good.
The finale was a barn-burner, as the Crusaders took a 20-17 lead on a combo-block from Reisa Fessler and Kailey Trautmann, and held a 23-21 edge after back-to-back C of I hitting errors. However, NNU would be their worst enemy, as a double-contact and back-to-back miscues on spikes gave the Coyotes match-point, which Nathy Neres converted with a cross-court spike to end the night.
Harris led the Coyotes with 11 kills and four blocks, with Lauren Bourgeau and Neres each recording six kills. Liz Myers led all players with seven blocks, while Madie Machurek had a monster night, recording 14 assists and a match-high 22 digs.
NNU got 11 kills from Carly Dranginis, with Trautmann adding eight kills and 14 digs. Setter Laticia Lehman had 31 assists and 11 digs for the Crusaders, with Haley Hevern leading the way with 21 digs.
The teams combined for 146 digs in the match, but NNU had 35 total errors in the match and the Yotes were helped by 12 total blocks.
The Lady Yotes close out the home portion of the regular season this weekend, hosting Evergreen State and Northwest. Friday’s match with Evergreen is C of I’s annual Dig For The Cure match – as the squad will wear pink uniforms and raise money for breast cancer awareness.