EUGENE, Ore. – The Southern Oregon University volleyball team, ranked No. 16 in the latest NAIA national coaches' poll, swept Northwest Christian University on Friday, moving within one win of clinching second-place in the CCC. The loss eliminated the Beacons from the race for the final CCC playoff spot.
Southern Oregon (23-3, 16-3 CCC) dominated offensively, making just three unforced attacking errors on the night. The team hit .289 with nine errors but six of those came as a result of NCU blocks. The Raiders set the tone in the first set, hitting .340 with just one error.
For the Beacons (14-12, 7-12 CCC) there wasn’t a ball that sophomore Libero Haley Damian couldn’t get to on Friday night as she posted a personal best 29 digs in the match to break her own record for digs in a three-set match. Earlier this season she had 27 in the loss to Southern Oregon on the road. She now has 77 digs in her career against the Raiders, averaging over 6.4 per set.
The Raiders we led by Emma Gasman as the CCC’s most efficient hitter went without an error, hitting .579 with 11 kills. Corynn Kopra posted match-highs with 15 kills and three blocks while Lauren McGowne led all players with 39 assists. Ashlyn Flynn recorded the team’s lead for digs with 14.
NCU was led by Chandler Gabrio, hitting .438 with nine kills, three aces and two blocks. On the other side of the Middle Blocker rotation, Cassidy Winters added eight kills and a match-high four blocks. Laurie Salness registered 29 assists while Kayla Ping scored seven kills and nine digs.
SOU will take aim at the Corban Warriors on Saturday at 5:00 pm as they attempt to secure the final first-round bye for the upcoming CCC Championship tournament. Eastern Oregon already claimed the regular season championship, a first-round bye and the right to host the semi-finals and finals next weekend.
The Beacons will close out the season on Saturday, playing host to Oregon Tech at 5:00 pm. The Owls will need a win on Saturday, or a loss by Warner Pacific to clinch the final post-season berth.