Photo credit: Doug Pfeiler
LA GRANDE, Ore. – It took about 50 minutes for the No. 11 Eastern Oregon University volleyball team to take care of Multnomah, as the Navy and Gold hit .437 on the way to a 3-0 (25-8, 25-6, 25-11) triumph over the Lions on Friday night at Quinn Coliseum.
“I’m proud of how consistent our girls played tonight, and it showed in our hitting percentage,” said head volleyball coach Kaki McLean Morehead. “Hopefully we can do that again tomorrow.”
Key Performances
Sophomore outside hitter Amanda Miller continued her hot streak, registering a match-high 13 kills to pace the Mountaineers. She recorded her seventh-straight double-figure kills effort.
EOU saw a career-high 11 digs and three aces from sophomore outside hitter Malia Mills, while junior libero Tylo Colflesh chipped in 13 digs for the Navy and Gold.
With 32 assists, junior setter Rachelle Chamberlain directed EOU’s offensive attack, while junior middle hitter Kasaundra Tuma collected five blocks.
Patricia Batoon anchored Multnomah’s effort with six kills and one service ace.
The Storyline
EOU hit .643 in the first stanza for its best hitting percentage in a single set this season. The Mountaineers opened the frame on a 15-3 burst capped by a denial from Tuma and sophomore right side hitter Isabelle Statkus. The Lions scooted to within 10 (16-6), but EOU closed the stanza on a 9-2 run to take a one-set advantage.
Set two was much like the first, as EOU raced to another 15-3 advantage. With an 11-point lead (16-5), sophomore middle hitter Emily Nay smacked one into the hardwood to kickstart a 6-0 run, and the Navy and Gold yielded just one more point for the remainder of the frame en route to a 25-6 second-set victory.
Multnomah (2-16, 0-15 CCC) saw its only positive hitting percentage in the third and final set and even snagged a 2-0 lead after a service ace by Marissa Rhodes. Nay hammered one down to ignite a 9-0 run, and EOU never looked back. At match point (25-11), Chamberlain setup Miller to seal the deal for the Navy and Gold.
Stats of the Match
18 – Kills by Multnomah, the lowest by any EOU opponent this season.
.643 – Hitting percentage by the Mountaineers in the first set.
7 – Straight matches in which Miller recorded double-figure kills for the Mountaineers.
Up Next
EOU (20-2, 15-1 CCC) returns to action tomorrow for its Senior Night contest against Warner Pacific at 7 p.m.