FULLERTON, Calif. — The Southern Oregon volleyball team fell to top-ranked Northwestern (Iowa) in three sets before sweeping Life Pacific (Calif.) on the final day of the Hope International Summer Slam at Darling Pavilion.
Undefeated NWU earned the Saturday morning victory 25-22, 25-21, 25-20 behind Stella Winterfield's 17 kills and Nyah Potthoff's 34 assists. The two led a Northwestern offense that outhit SOU .344 to .223.
All-CCC right-side hitter Friley Curtiss, who's been working her way back from an injury, showed a return to form with a team-high 11 kills and game-high five blocks, leading a 9-2 Southern Oregon block advantage.
Senior setter Annie Hite had 13 assists, eight digs and two service aces, while Maelle Garon pitched in eight digs and an ace of her own.
The Raiders rebounded just a few hours later, winning 25-12, 25-18, 25-19 and torturing Life Pacific's back row with 16 service aces. Garon, a defensive specialist from France, served up a career-high seven aces and Kaylie Christopher and Isabelle Foote had three each.
Maya Watters led all hitters, delivering 11 kills on 20 attacks. The senior from Dubuque, Iowa, ended the tournament with 41 kills across the four matches. Marian Vega Castro assisted three blocks with seven kills and Hite had 16 assists.
SOU moved to 4-2 on the season and shifts focus to its final summer tournament at the Hampton Inn Classic in Salem next week.
