ASHLAND – The No. 22-ranked Southern Oregon volleyball team got contributions from all over the roster while dispatching Walla Walla (Wash.) in 61 minutes Friday afternoon at Lithia Motor Pavilion, winning its Cascade Conference opener 25-10, 25-10, 25-17.
The win was the sixth straight for the Raiders (7-1 overall), who attacked at a .451 average after hitting .500 in their previous outing. Junior outside hitter
Mylena Testoni had nine kills and seven digs, and sophomore libero
Kayla Neidigh tacked on six service aces – matching the highest total for any Raider in nine years – and a match-high 12 digs.
SOU has still never dropped a set in 13 head-to-head matchups against the Wolves (0-2, 0-2).
After falling behind 4-2 in the first frame, the Raiders took control with a 13-3 run. Neidigh closed out the second with three consecutive service aces, and
Savannah Schwindt dominated the third with all six of her kills on nine swings.
Hailey Van Well finished with seven kills on 12 attempts,
Sadie Byrd had six, and
Simone Gordon and
Hannah Stadstad chipped in five apiece. Collectively, the Raiders committed only four attacking errors.
Trinity Atuatasi went for seven digs,
Taylor Russell had 14 assists,
Katie Vroman assisted three blocks, and
Gwen Sheldon accounted for three of the team's 12 service aces. The Wolves were limited to one ace and one block.
Freshman outside hitter Gabrielle Browning was a bright spot for WWU, accumulating 10 kills on a .280 average. Meherio Krainer distributed 18 assists.
The Raiders complete the homestand at 5 p.m. Saturday against Lewis-Clark State (Idaho), which entered its match Friday at Oregon Tech with a 5-1 record.