COI Defeats NCU 3-1 in Volleyball

9/22/2013 5:05:01 PM

EUGENE, Ore. – The College of Idaho women's volleyball team continued their dominance over Northwest Christian University on Saturday, defeating the Beacons in four sets, 9-25, 25-11, 25-22, 25-18. The Yotes struggled mightily in the first set but quickly settled down.

Northwest Christian (9-5, 3-3 CCC) was completely dominant in all facets during the opening set, collecting 14 kills as they hit .520. The Beacons had four service aces and benefitted from nine unforced errors by the Yotes. NCU has never defeated C of I and this was just the third set the Beacons have ever taken from the defending CCC champions.

The College of Idaho made the necessary adjustments in the second set with what amounted to a polar opposite performance. This time is was Northwest Christian making 12 unforced errors and hitting in the negative. Liz Myers began to emerge in set two, collecting 5 kills with an .833 attack percentage, adding five blocks.

It was more of the same for the Yotes as they cruised to victory through sets three and four.

The C of I (4-7, 4-1 CCC) was led by Myers who finished the match with 12 kills. Myers also had a hand in all 11 of the College of Idaho team blocks, getting two solo blocks with nine assisted. Sofia Anxo added ten kills and five blocks while Randi Sturtz contributed eight kills, hitting .583. Sierra Porter posted a double-double for the Yotes with 37 assists and 19 digs. Her sister Janel Porter led all players with 20 digs.

NCU was led by Maren Mansfield (pictured), posting a match-high 15 kills. The senior Outside Hitter added ten digs to register her own double-double. Janel Fettersadded nine kills and three blocks for the Beacons while Chelsea McGowan and Taylor Richardson posted eight kills apiece. Cori Wallace added 42 assists and 15 digs while Chandler Gabrio led all players with three service aces. Dana McGowan posted a team-high 16 digs.

Head Coach Mike Gaffaney said, "It was like two different teams out there tonight, the team we are hoping for all the time played in the first set, but the dark side came upon us in the rest of the match. We are working on trying to create that tempo and intensity that we played at in that first set. We are a work in progress, but fortunately it is still early in the conference season. This gives us a lot to work on in practice."

The Beacons will be back in action on Tuesday with a non-conference tilt against Simpson University at 7:00 pm. Next weekend the CCC season will continue in Washington as the Beacons take on Northwest on Friday night and Evergreen State on Saturday.