LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon University volleyball team swept Northwest University, 3-0, Saturday for its second straight win.
The Mountaineers (2-6, 2-0 Cascade Collegiate Conference) were led by Rebecca Haight’s match-high 14 kills. The junior was playing in only her second match for Eastern, but recorded her new collegiate high in kills. Jessica Lea added 11 kills and 15 assists for EOU. Emily Sampson had a team-high 20 assists. Kaitlyn Duncan recorded 16 digs.
Eastern opened the match with an 8-2 lead in Game 1. The Mountaineers then stretched the advantage to 16-6. EOU would watch a 21-13 lead dwindle after a Northwest 6-0 run, cut the lead to 21-19. Eastern Oregon held off the Eagle rally to win the set, 25-21.
EOU began the second game with a 7-2 lead, but Northwest would again make a run to cut into the lead. Lauryn Ernster hit an ace to bring NU back to only down 17-16. The Eagles tied the game at 20 after an Eastern attack error. The teams battled for the next few points, but the Mountaineers never fell behind and won the set, 27-25.
With the momentum on its side, Eastern Oregon seemed to cruise through Game 3. The Mountaineers led through the entirety of the final set, stretching a 10-8 advantage to 18-9 and enough cushion to finish the match. EOU won the third game, 25-15. In all, the match featured seven ties, with five coming in Game 2.
Ernster led the Eagles (2-5, 0-2) with a match-high 21 assists. Breanna Covey recorded seven kills and Heather Shulke had a team-high 10 digs. NU finished with an attack percentage of .105, compared to the Mountaineers’ .198.