LA GRANDE, Ore. – In a showdown that demonstrated their command over the Cascade Collegiate Conference, the No. 4 ranked Eastern Oregon volleyball team clinched a victory over the No. 5 ranked Corban University. EOU not only maintained their winning streak but also executed a clean sweep in a three-set victory with final scores of 26-24, 25-18, and 25-19, bolstering their season record to 16-1.
In the first set, Eastern Oregon emerged victorious with a narrow 26-24 win, displaying a robust attack percentage of .205 and an impressive 17 kills. Ashton Haughton, Mylie Mills, and others significantly contributed to the kills, while the team also benefited from six assists from Hannah Ledgerwood and four from Alexis McMurtrey. On the other side, Corban posted a .171 attack percentage and garnered 12 kills, led by Rylee Troutman and Emma Bischoff with four and two kills, respectively. Despite the Warriors’ initial 3-0 lead, EOU took control of the first set, eventually winning off a kill by Kiauna Mack.
The Mounties showed a more assertive performance in the second set, winning 25-18. Keira Vaughn led the way with four kills, while Sade Williams and Mylie Mills impressed on the defensive side. Hannah Ledgerwood added another six assists to the team’s tally, followed closely behind by Alexis McMurtrey with five assists.
Despite a late push from Corban in the third, EOU’s consistent kills from Kiauna Mack, Ashton Haughton, and Madison Morgan helped maintain their lead. The playmaking ability of Hannah Ledgerwood and Alexis McMurtrey, along with strong blocking from Haughton and Mack, pushed the Mounties further ahead. Even with notable efforts from Warriors Rylee Troutman and Allyson Reid, a crucial error by Makayla Roginski ultimately cemented the set in Eastern Oregon’s favor.
Keira Vaughn recorded a team-high of 12 kills for the Mounties, contributing significantly to the team’s total of 44. Another noteworthy contributor was Ashton Haughton with nine kills and two blocks. Hannah Ledgerwood showed commendable leadership with 22 assists, and Alexis McMurtrey added 17 assists, helping the team to maintain an attacking edge. Strong blocking was displayed by multiple team members, with Kiauna Mack tallying five blocks.
On the side of Corban, Rylee Troutman led her team with 11 kills. Makayla Roginski and Emma Bischoff also made notable contributions with seven and five kills respectively. Abby Guindy facilitated the plays with 13 assists, while Courtney Garwood added 11 assists to the team’s efforts.
Following Friday’s win, the Mountaineers now stand at the top of the CCC standings, possessing the tiebreaker advantage over the Warriors. Eastern Oregon returns to action tomorrow evening when they face the Beacons of Bushnell University at 5:30 p.m. in Eugene.