The 14th-ranked Southern Oregon volleyball team made quick work of host Briar Cliff 25-11, 25-17, 25-20 today to wrap up pool play with a victory at the NAIA Volleyball National Championships in Sioux City, Iowa.

Southern Oregon's season comes to an end with a 24-5 record and a 1-2 record in pool play. Briar Cliff's season ends at 20-17. Top-ranked Lee and 12th-ranked Embry-Riddle will advance out of pool play to bracket play that begins tomorrow.

SOU's trip to the National Tournament featured a pair of close calls against favored team. Despite getting swept in the opener against Embry-Riddle, the Raiders had leads late in all three sets. On Wednesday, the Raiders went toe-to-toe with undefeated and tournament favorite Lee and won the first two sets before falling in five.

The Raiders played at a high level again today, jumping out quickly on the hosts for a 5-0 lead thanks to three aces by Lindsey Stone (Ashland, Ore./Ashland). Another ace by Sarah Holgen (Honolulu, Hawaii/Ashland) pushed the advantage to 7-2 and the Raiders never looked back. Southern Oregon hit .560 in the first set with 15 kills and only one error.

In the second set, a pair of kills by Leanne Stennett (Encinitas, Calif./San Dieguito) and kills by Holgen and Megan Bartling (Medford, Ore./North Medford) blew open a close set as the Raiders jumped out to an 18-12 lead.

In the final set, a kill by Leah Bergstrom (West Linn, Ore./West Linn) pushed the Raiders to a 17-13 lead and then never looked back.

For the match, SOU hit .451 with just five errors.

Holgen led the SOU attack with 16 kills and 13 digs. Bergstrom finished with 12 kills, while Stennett had 10 kills and Stone finished with 45 assists.