CALDWELL, Idaho – In a highly anticipated matchup between two of the NAIA's top-five programs, the No. 5 College of Idaho women's volleyball team delivered a statement victory Wednesday night, sweeping No. 2 Eastern Oregon University in straight sets (25-16, 25-23, 27-25) inside the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.
The victory improved the Yotes to 22-2 overall and 15-2 in Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) play, pulling even with Eastern Oregon (26-2, 15-2 CCC) atop the conference standings. College of Idaho also extended its unbeaten home record to 12-0 while snapping a four-match losing streak against the Mountaineers.
Kelsy Stanger led the offensive charge for the Yotes, finishing with a match-high 17 kills and an impressive .405 hitting percentage. Abigail Flerchinger and Jessica Stires added nine kills apiece, with Flerchinger hitting .316 and contributing two blocks.
Shaynee McWilliams directed the Yotes' offense with 33 assists while adding 10 digs. Defensively, Avery Lewis led College of Idaho with 15 digs, followed by McWilliams with 10 and Kadence Boyd with nine. Cora Young anchored the effort at the net, recording a match-high four blocks.
College of Idaho established control early, taking the opening set 25-16 before holding off a stronger Eastern Oregon challenge in the second frame, 25-23. The Mountaineers continued to battle in the third set, pushing the Yotes beyond the regulation 25-point mark before College of Idaho secured the 27-25 victory to complete the sweep.
The Yotes finished with 45 kills and a .246 hitting percentage, compared to Eastern Oregon's 38 kills and .193 hitting percentage. College of Idaho also held a 39-34 advantage in assists, while both teams recorded 51 digs, five service aces and four total blocks.
Eastern Oregon was led offensively by Keira Vaughn, who finished with 14 kills, while Brooke Womack contributed 10 kills, 13 digs and two service aces. Brooklyn Willard added six kills and two blocks, and setter Kate Stidham recorded 18 assists for the Mountaineers.
The win avenged College of Idaho's four-set loss to Eastern Oregon earlier this season in La Grande and marked the Yotes' first victory over the Mountaineers since October 29, 2024.
Up Next: College of Idaho returns to action Friday, October 30, hosting Warner Pacific in another CCC matchup. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. in the Elgin Baylor Arena.