LEWISTON, Idaho – The Lewis-Clark State College volleyball team took control of the Frontier Conference on Saturday, defeating #16 Carroll College in five sets, 3-2 (22-25, 25-22, 20-25, 25-23, 15-12), in front of 250 fans inside the LCSC Activity Center.
 
The win moves the Warriors to 6-4 overall, but, more importantly, to 2-0 in the conference while Carroll falls to 12-3 overall and 1-1 in conference action. It is the second consecutive win over an NAIA Top-25 team and the ninth straight conference home victory.
 
"Carroll is a competitive team," said Warriors Head Coach LaToya Harris-Alexander. "Since I took over here at LC they've always been a tough opponent so we knew it was going to be a battle. To beat two ranked teams in one weekend doesn't happen a lot so I'm very proud of our team."
 
The defense led the way for LC State tallying 11 blocks with 98 digs and inducing 35 attack errors by the Fighting Saints. Rachel Gregg was a big reason why as the sophomore outside hitter collected a career-high 26 digs while senior Kennadie Clute added 20. Stephanie Ovitz led the way at the net with five blocks (1 solo, 4 assists) with Maya Williamson adding four block assists.
 
"We've worked hard in practice on our defense, blocking, serving and serve receive because the stronger we are in those areas our transition and offense is going to be easier," said Harris-Alexander.
 
The offense wasn't too shabby either as LCSC hit .209 in the match with 57 kills led in both departments by Stephanie Ovitz who tallied a career-high 18 kills and hit .395. Clute tallied 14 kills, her 39th match with double-digit kills, moving ahead of Treneisha Doyle for 10th all-time. The setters played well too, with Amber Hillestad (30) and Shaelyn Pearson (17) combining for 47 of the teams 53 assists.
 
"Stephanie has improved tremendously to be a player that can produce those kills in crucial situations, she played great tonight and proved she's one of the best," said Harris-Alexander.
 
It wasn't a great start for the Warriors as Carroll jumped out to an early 9-6 lead in set one, but LC responded with a seven-point rally aided by three Fighting Saints errors and a pair of blocks from Katie Barton and Ovitz. LCSC looked to be in control, up 18-14, but Carroll scored seven straight to take a 21-18 lead that they didn't let go en route to a 25-22 win.
 
With momentum on their side, Carroll raced to a 14-7 lead in set two, but the Red and Blue fought back. A pair of Ovitz kills and two CC attack errors cut the deficit to four, 15-11. A Fighting Saints service error made it a one-point game and the momentum swung to the Warriors when Ovitz slammed home a kill to end a 10-volley exchange and tie the set at 21. A pair of Carroll errors followed to put LC ahead 23-21 and Clute finished the set with a pair of resounding kills for the 25-22 win.
 
Following the game break, LC led set three early, 7-6, but the visitors won nine of 10 points to take a 15-8 lead. A pair of Warrior rallies cut the margin to three, 21-18, but the Fighting Saints closed the set on a 4-2 run to take two games to one lead in the match.
 
The Warriors showed their will to win in set three, winning the first four points on a pair of Ovitz kills and blocks by Ovitz and Gregg. The teams traded side-outs until the Fighting Saints scored five straight points for a 15-12 lead. They remained in front until another long rally that again went LC's way on a Williamson kill to tie the score at 19. Aly Sauer followed with a kill and a Carroll error made it 21-19 LCSC. A three-point rally gave the Fighting Saints the lead again, but kills by Sauer and Ovitz followed by a service error and attack error by Carroll evened the match at two.
 
In the decisive fifth set, the Warriors got off to another fast start, using a pair of blocks from Williamson and Clute, and Williamson and Sauer to take a 7-4 lead and force a Fighting Saints timeout. Carroll won five of the next seven points to take a 9-8 lead in the first to 15, winner take all set, forcing an LC timeout. A Gregg kill and Carroll error made it 11-9 and forced another visitor's timeout. Carroll responded, scoring three of four points to make it 12-11, but Ovitz took over, registering three kills to seal the upset with a 15-12 victory.
 
Carroll finished with a .163 attack percentage with Paige Montgomery tallying a match-high 27 kills.
 
The Warriors wrap up their three-game home stand with a non-conference match with Whitworth University on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m.