Walla Walla Falls to No.10-Ranked Eastern Oregon University in Straight Sets
WWU Sports Information
College Place, Wash. – Walla Walla hosted the No. 10-ranked Mountaineers of Eastern Oregon University (EOU) on Tuesday evening for their conference home opener. A .360 hitting % by EOU (12-1, 2-1 was too much for the Wolves (1-8, 0-3 CCC), who fell in straight sets (25-17, 25-12, 25-23).
EOU wasted no time to begin the match, beginning the opening set on an 8-0 run. The Wolves fought back, however, they could not overcome the 8-point deficit and the Mountaineers took the set, 25-17.
In set two, EOU rode their set one momentum, starting the second set on a 7-0 run. They pushed their lead to 10 and did not look back, taking the set and a 2-0 lead in the match, 25-12.
Despite being down 2-0 on the match, the Wolves put up a fight in the third set and did not allow a big run to begin set three. The teams went back-and-forth in the opening stages, while the match sat at 9-9. A 6-1 run by the Mountaineers gave EOU some breathing room as they continued to hold off the last rally the Wolves had in them. EOU extended the decisive set and put the Wolves on the brink of elimination before an 8-2 run, highlighted by multiple Wolves aces, put the Wolves right back in the set. Unfortunately for the Wolves, the No.10 ranked EOU showed why they are a top-25 team and closed the door on a potential fourth set, claiming set three 25-23.
The Mountaineers were led by Jet Taylor (19 kills), Madison Pilon (25 assists), and Cambree Scott (9 kills and 4 block-assists).
Walla Walla was led by Sarah Halversen (7 kills), and Krista Schafer (9 assists).
Walla Walla looks to flip the script quickly, hosting another top-ranked opponent tomorrow evening, no.12 ranked College of Idaho (6-3, 1-1 CCC). The match will begin at 7 p.m. on Windemuth Court. The No.10-ranked Mountaineers will host College of Idaho on Thursday, September 12 for a top-25 matchup in their home opener.