LA GRANDE, Ore. – Another day, another three-set match in the books.
Led by a .299 clip at the net and nine blocks, the No. 6 EOU volleyball team took down Northwest Christian in straight sets (25-16, 25-10, 25-19) on Saturday night at Quinn Coliseum.
Once again, junior outside hitter Amanda Miller led the way with 12 kills, while junior hitter Madisen Garlie and senior middle hitter Kasaundra Tuma recorded nine and five kills, respectively. Directing the Mountaineers’ offense per usual, senior setter Rachelle Chamberlain distributed 34 assists.
Anchoring EOU’s blocking efforts, senior hitter Makayla Lindburg tallied six rejections (one solo), while sophomore defensive specialist Holli Mullins collected a career-high 18 digs in the back row. In addition, freshman outside hitter Megan Bunn and junior libero Malia Mills added eight and six digs, respectively.
In the first set, Northwest Christian (3-7, 1-3 CCC) caught EOU off guard, jumping to a 3-0 lead following a pair of aces and a kill by Kendall Bergsten. The Mountaineers bounced right back, netting 15 of the next 18 and swinging .440 to snag a 15-8 advantage after a kill by Miller. The Beacons crept to within four (20-16), but the Blue and Gold closed the frame with five straight to seal the set.
The second stanza was all EOU, as the Mountaineers launched the set with a 10-1 burst to put Northwest Christian away early. The Beacons pulled to within eight (15-7), but freshman hitter Hailee Ackerman and Miller responded with back-to-back kills to stretch the lead to double figures. Up 20-10, the Blue and Gold compiled three block assists amidst a 5-0 run to end the set.
After EOU (11-1, 4-0 CCC) doubled up (6-3) Northwest Christian early in the third frame, the Beacons responded with six of the next eight to steal a one-point (9-8) lead. Ackerman hammered one into the hardwood, and then Chamberlain snuck one over to ignite a 13-4 run to make it a 21-13 contest. At match point (24-19), Mills attacked for her first kill of the season to sail the Mountaineers to victory.
BY THE NUMBERS
11 – Match winning streak for EOU.
10 – Straight sweeps for the Blue and Gold.
12 – Kills for Miller.
9 – Consecutive sweeps.
15-3 – Kaki McLean Morehead’s record vs. Northwest Christian.
UP NEXT
EOU returns to action on Friday at Northwest in Kirkland, Wash. The first serve is set for 7 p.m.