No. 11 Volleyball Drops 4-Setter to No. 2 Dordt 8/18/2017 8:02:24 PM COSTA MESA, Calif. – The No. 11 Eastern Oregon volleyball team faced a tough opponent Friday afternoon, falling in four sets to No. 2-ranked Dordt College to wrap up play at the HIU/Vanguard Summer Slam. The Mountaineers (2-3) rallied back after losing the first two sets to nearly take the match to a deciding fifth set, but ultimately fell 14-25, 21-25, 25-19 & 23-25. The first set went poorly for the EOU attack as they hit -.182 from the floor and were defeated 25-14 despite holding Dordt to a .086 hitting percentage. In set two, the Mountaineers were limited to a .000 hitting percentage with nine kills and errors, but hung in for just a 25-21 defeat. Things improved greatly in the third set as the Blue and Gold hit .222 from the floor, the highest percentage in a set between both teams. They cruised to a 25-19 set victory sending the match to a fourth set. The Mountaineers looked poised to force a fifth set against the top-ranked Defenders as they led 23-21 late. After two straight points by Dordt, EOU seemed to regain the advantage with a kill, but a late call reversed the point in favor of the Defenders. Dordt capitalized, picking up the final point to win the set and the match. Freshman Kiley McMurtrey had an impressive match from the libero position, recording 22 digs to lead the defense. Five players had at least six kills led by senior Amanda Miller and sophomore Hailee Ackerman. Seniors Madisen Garlie and Isabelle Stakus and sophomore Megan Bunn posted six kills each. Senior Emily Nay paced the team with five block assists, while Garlie added two along with two solo blocks. Freshman Madison Pilon dished out 19 assists, adding two service aces. Fellow freshman Abby Smith contributed with 11 assists. EOU returns to the court on Aug. 25 at the Big Sky Invitational in Butte, Montana. The Mountaineers open against Rocky Mountain at 11 a.m. Mountain Time, followed by No. 14 Montana Tech at 7 p.m. Mountain Time. On Aug. 26, EOU takes on Montana State-Northern at 11 a.m. Mountain Time, before wrapping up the tournament against No. 10 Grand View at 3 p.m. Mountain Time. For more information on Eastern Oregon volleyball, follow @EOUAthletics or visit eousports.com. FOLLOW EOU ATHLETICS Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube Contact: Iain Dexter; 541-962-3946; idexter@eou.edu