ASHLAND – Southern Oregon's go-to hitters were up to the task in a 25-12, 25-17, 22-25, 25-17 defeat of Oregon Tech in Cascade Conference play Wednesday night at Lithia Motors Pavilion.
Marin Mackey dropped in 18 kills,
Megan Perry had 17 and
Hannah Stadstad added 16 as the No. 16-ranked Raiders (17-5 overall, 10-4 CCC) completed a regular-season sweep of the Owls (7-14, 5-9). Mackey and Perry established new career highs, Stadstad met hers, and setter
Vitoria Mattos reached the 30-assist mark for the first time as part of a .253 attack.
The Owls hit at a .095 clip, becoming the ninth SOU opponent this season to land at a sub-.100 average. The Raiders amassed nine blocks –
Sadie Byrd led the way with four assisted before exiting with an injury in the third set – while
Kayla Neidigh collected 19 digs,
Trinity Atuatasi reeled in 14 and Mackey had 13.
The Raiders were crisp in the first two sets, combining for 33 kills compared to just 10 attacking errors to take a commanding lead.
Willow Jacobson (11 kills, 7 blocks) and Kate Hicks (10 kills, 6 blocks) helped the Owls extend the match, teaming up for six kills and a pair of blocks in the third.
Perry and Stadstad took over the fourth from the right side – the former with six kill and the latter with five. The Raiders sealed the win by scoring the final three points.
Annie Hite chipped in 22 assists and six digs.
Carol Melo had nine kills on 24 swings.
The Raiders play their fourth and fifth consecutive home matches Friday and Saturday against Warner Pacific and Multnomah. Both start at 7 p.m.