BUTTE, Mont.- No. 3 Eastern Oregon was back in action Thursday as they kicked off their season in Butte, Mont. to take on the College of Saint Mary’s and Arizona Christian in day one of the Big Sky Challenge. The Mountaineers knocked off some early season rust before ultimately going 2-0 on the day taking each game by a match score of 3-1.
Game 1:
The Mounties began their year with a victory over No. 18 ranked College of Saint Mary on Thursday morning. The Mountaineers clinched a 3-1 win after an intense four-set match.
Set By Set
Set 1: Eastern Oregon 25 – College of Saint Mary 20
Set 2: Eastern Oregon 23 – College of Saint Mary 25
Set 3: Eastern Oregon 25 – College of Saint Mary 20
Set 4: Eastern Oregon 26 – College of Saint Mary 24
Standout Performances
EOU
- Sade Williams: 12 kills, 15 digs, 1 block assist.
- Hannah Ledgerwood: 18 assists, 5 digs, 1 service ace.
- Alexis McMurtrey: 28 assists, 1 service ace, 12 digs.
- Madison Morgan: 13 kills, 1 solo block, 4 block assists.
College of Saint Mary
- Lexie Langley: 15 kills, .233%, 13 digs, 1 solo block.
- Grace Werner: 6 kills, 2 block errors.
- Azaria Green: 8 kills, 1 solo block, 3 block assists.
- Morgan Ramsey: 8 kills, 1 block assist.
- Rachel Cushing: 7 assists, 20 digs.
Game 2:
In Game two, Eastern Oregon faced off with the Firebirds of Arizona Christian to finish out day one of the Big Sky Challenge. Eastern emerged as the dominant force, securing the victory over Arizona Christian with a 3-1 set score.
Set By Set
Set 1: Eastern Oregon 25 – Arizona Christian 14
Set 2: Eastern Oregon 25 – Arizona Christian 18
Set 3: Eastern Oregon 23 – Arizona Christian 25
Set 4: Eastern Oregon 25 – Arizona Christian 16
Standout Performances
EOU
- Sade Williams: 8 kills, 13 digs, 2 solo blocks, 1 block assist.
- Hannah Ledgerwood: 26 assists, 6 digs.
- Alexis McMurtrey: 16 assists, 6 service aces, 10 digs.
- Kiauna Mack: 9 kills, .412% , 1 solo block, 3 block assists.
ACU:
- Hailey Reynolds: 11 kills, .259%
- Faith Baar: 7 kills
- Caitlin Chan: 19 assists, 5 digs.
- Nikole Lunsford: 22 digs.
No. 3 EOU will be back in action tomorrow, August 18th, as they take on the No. 10 nationally ranked Southwestern Assemblies of God University (Texas) to kick off day two of the Big Sky Challenge. Game time is set for 9 a.m. MST.