ASHLAND – The blistering attack that carried Southern Oregon through a record-breaking 2018 season returned just in time to help the sixth-ranked Raiders start their Cascade Conference title defense on Wednesday night at Lithia Motors Pavilion.

In a 61-minute clinic, the Raiders ripped through Oregon Tech by scores of 25-15, 25-19 and 25-15. They attacked at a .380 average, their highest since last October, with 44 kills and only nine errors. They also threw in 10 blocks, marking the fifth time they've reached double figures this season, to hold the Owls at a .120 clip.

Junior middle Elliott Cook was the catalyst in both regards with 10 kills on 19 attempts and five blocks. Tehani Faitau (20 assists) and Hannah Bogatin (13) ran the show as SOU exceeded the .300 mark for the second match in a row after failing to do so in its first nine.

The Raiders (10-1 overall) have now defeated the Owls (7-4) in 33 consecutive head-to-head matchups, a streak that started in 2005.

They'll get the chance to extend a five-game overall winning streak in Ashland with three more matches left on their homestand, starting at 1 p.m. Friday against winless Walla Walla (Wash.).

Against the Owls, it was the Raiders' balance that made them electric. Maddie Pernich had eight kills on 16 swings, hitting .438. Neither Makayla Hoyt (7 kills) nor Shelby Young (6 kills) committed an error on 19 combined attempts, and Young did all of her damage in the final set. Kylie Ristvedt added five more kills on 11 tries.

Comparatively, the Owls accumulated 23 errors. Their leading hitter, Ashley Ripplinger, mostly avoided them during an 11-kill night, but her teammates combined to hit .028.

Myla Norvell sparked the Raiders with three service aces. Emma Ryan had 10 digs, and the Raiders went without a reception error for the first time in 20 conference matches.