Pagan Records 20-20 Night in Opening Win at Nationals
SIOUX CITY, Iowa –
Ashley Pagan recorded the College of Idaho's first 20-20 performance by a hitter in 15 years, as the Yotes used a huge Set 3 rally to topple Bellevue (Neb.) 25-22, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21 in Pool E play at the NAIA Volleyball National Championships inside Tyson Events Center.
The No. 12 ranked Lady Yotes (25-6) secured their 25th win of the year – as Pagan recorded a career-high 21 kills and 22 digs, becoming the first C of I outside hitter since Kristyn Price in 2002 to record a 20-kill, 20-dig match (setter Sierra Porter had three 20-assist, 20-dig matches between 2014 and 2015).
It wasn't easy in the defensive marathon, as the two teams combined for 213 digs in the four sets – with C of I rallying from a sizable Set 3 deficit to gain the momentum to win the match.
After holding off a late C of I rally in Set 2, the Bruins (29-12) jumped to a 9-2 lead in the third frame and took a 20-14 lead on a Maddie Squiers kill. The Yotes, who cut a 20-12 deficit to 23-22 in Set 2 before dropping the period, rattled off five-straight points – including two
Taylor Alexander kills and a
Marija Djonovic ace – to gain momentum. Following a BU side out,
Alaina Slater provided a key stuff block and the Bruins followed with a hitting error to even the set at 21-21. After trading side outs, Pagan got a key kill off an over pass, with
Jackie van Vliet following with a kill and a BU hitting error handed the Yotes the set win.
Set 4 was tight – with the teams recording 14 ties over the first 30 points – before back-to-back Pagan spikes fueled a three-point C of I run to take an 18-15 lead, which would grow to 20-16 after two Alexander kills. The Bruins fought back, as consecutive Michaela Gardner kills got the Nebraska side within 22-21. The Yotes, however, proved to be too much, as a
Brenna Meehan kill, followed by a kill and ace from Alexander, ended the match.
Four players reached double-digit kills for C of I, as van Vliet logged 16 kills, Alexander had 12 kills and three aces, with Slater adding 11. Djonovic had 55 assists and 16 digs, adding three aces – including a pair during a 7-0 run to open the match.
Kilee Lopez had 25 digs to lead the Yotes, with Meehan recording a career-high 24 digs and
Drew Dobney adding 11.
Gardner had 12 kills and 10 digs to lead BU – as the Bruins held a 7-4 edge in total blocks but recorded just one ace on the day.
The Coyotes return to action tomorrow night, meeting Lourdes (Ohio) at 8 p.m. (CT)