CORVALLIS, Ore. – The No. 7-ranked Southern Oregon University Volleyball team was named the Under Armour Team of the Week for December 2 – 8, the Cascade Collegiate Conference announced Sunday.
Last week, SOU swept Reinhardt (Ga.) at home to punch its ticket to the final site in Sioux City, Iowa. After an outstanding week with three victories, SOU has secured its spot in the semifinals of the 2024 NAIA Volleyball Championship.
The Raiders kicked off the week on Wednesday with a 3-1 (25-22, 21-25, 25-21, 25-20) victory over No. 18-ranked Nelson (Texas) in pool play. Megan Perry, the Cascade Conference Player of the Year, downed 14 kills. Hannah Stadstad, the All-American, had 13. Together, they combined to commit only four errors on 50 swings while attacking at a .460 average. Marin Mackey balanced the court with 12 kills and eight digs from the outside position.
On Friday, Southern Oregon came out with a 3-0 (25-21, 27-25, 25-15) sweep over Viterbo (Wis.). The Raiders were again led by the trio while Stadstad tallied five of her match-high 12 kills in the first set and four more in the third, also assisting three blocks. Perry hit at a .381 clip with 11 kills on 21 swings, and Mackey accumulated 10 kills, seven digs and a career-high five service aces.
On Saturday, SOU came out with a close five set victory (25-22, 21-25, 20-25, 25-21, 15-12) over EOU in a rematch of this year’s CCC Championship Tournament. Stadstad recorded a career-high 23 kills. Perry totaled 14 kills, hitting double figures for the third time at the tournament, and Mackey registered her 12th double-double of the season with 12 kills and 14 digs.
For the first time ever, SOU (32-3 overall) will appear in the national semifinal round on Monday against defending champion Indiana Wesleyan, the tournament's No. 2 overall seed. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. PT.