SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Eastern Oregon University volleyball team swept Grand View University, 25-18, 25-19, 28-26, in the first game of pool play at the 2014 NAIA Volleyball National Championship, presented by J&L Enterprises.
Katina Ferguson led the Mountaineers with 12 kills.
Amanda Miller followed with 10 kills.
Rachelle Chamberlain dished out a match-high 39 assists and
Jessalyn Smith recorded a match-high 27 digs.
The Mountaineers fell behind early in the first set of the day and after an EOU attack error, found themselves down 10-6. After an Eastern Oregon timeout, the Mountaineers offense clicked into gear and went on an 8-1 run to take a 14-11 lead over the Vikings.
After taking the lead, EOU did not look back and extended the score to nine, 23-14, after a Grand View attack error. With EOU ahead 24-18, a kill by Ferguson gave EOU the set 25-18.
The Mountaineers and Vikings were locked in a tight second set. Eastern Oregon found themselves down one, 8-7.
Piper Cantrell went back to serve and recorded back-to-back aces, putting EOU back on top, 9-8. EOU continued to rally off points and took a three point lead, 11-8, forcing Grand View to call a timeout.
Like set one, once EOU took the lead they did not trail again in the set. EOU extended their lead to five points, 17-12, after a Grand View attack error. The Vikings continued to battle but could not get any closer than three points. EOU took set two, 25-19.
Set three was a back and forth affair, as neither team took a lead larger than three points for the entire set, as the score was tied 20 times during the set. With the game tied at 13-13, it looked as if EOU was going to start pulling away, as they extended their lead to three points, 17-14.
Grand View continued to battle and tied the set at 17-17, before slowly building a two point lead, 21-19. The Mountaineers were not going to go away easily and tied the set at 22-22, after a kill by
Casey Loper. The Vikings looked to have the set under control and regained the lead at 26-25, but could not put EOU away. Eastern Oregon scored the last three points of the set, to take set three, 28-26, and the match 3-0.
The Mountaineers return to action tomorrow, Dec. 3 at 11 a.m. PT, when they play No. 2 Park (Mo.). This will be their second of three pool play games. EOU will be having a watch party in Quinn Coliseum in the new Booster area if you are interested in watching the game. EOU parking regulations will be enforced.