KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Keira Vaughn recorded a match-high 13 kills, as No. 2-ranked Eastern Oregon moved into sole possession of first place in the Cascade Conference, topping Oregon Tech, 25-19, 25-20, 25-16, on the Lady Owls annual Pink Out game at Danny Miles Court.
EOU (26-1, 14-1 CCC) used a 46-29 edge in kills in the win, taking over first place after Southern Oregon upset College of Idaho in three sets.
The Lady Owls (12-11, 6-9) got eight kills from
Shalyn Bliss,
Kaliko Schilling added six kills, with
Aleksen Thayer leading all players with six blocks in the loss.
Vaughn helped the Mountaineers build a 14-7 lead in Set 1 on the strength of three kills, but Thayer recorded consecutive block assists and converted a kill to pull the hosts within 18-16. Jule Whitley answered for Eastern with two blocks and two kills down the stretch to help the nationally-ranked side claim the set win.
Tech trailed 15-14 in Set 2, battling back from an early 5-point deficit, but were unable to get closer, as Akylah Kaino recorded three kills in the final eight points to secure the win.
Schilling pulled the Owls even in Set 3 at 10-10, with OIT within 13-12, when EOU put the match away with an 9-1 run.
Kaino had 11 kills and Whitley posted five blocks in the win for Eastern, while the Lady Owls libero
Kaley Whalen led all players with 15 digs, moving within 23 digs of OIT's all-time school record.
Tech closes out the weekend homestand tomorrow afternoon, hosting College of Idaho at 4 p.m.
