LEWISTON, Idaho – The Warriors celebrated their four seniors with a victory over College of Idaho in the Activity Center on Saturday night in sweeping fashion. LC State took down the Yotes for a second straight night, this time 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-18). Prior to the contest, the Warriors recognized seniors Denise Elder, Jordan Hunter, Morgan Ness and Jordan Hunter. Ruffing is expected to return in the fall after the NAIA granted fall sports another year of eligibility.
 
"Want to send our best to our three seniors that will be leaving us after this season," Head Coach Shaun Pohlman said. "All three have fought to get back to the court through injuries and have stayed loyal and committed to the growth of the program.  Would also make mention that we are happy our 4th senior, Jess Ruffing will be returning to us in the fall as well."
 
The Warriors utilized multiple runs throughout the match to put together a strong performance against the Yotes. With the victory, LC improves to 7-5 overall and in CCC play.
 
"We have been very deliberate in what we have practiced and preached all season, and our ability to put together some runs comes from our players putting their heads down and just doing the work," Pohlman said.
 
LC State opened the contest with a 6-1 run after an ace by Hannah Martinez started the set. Jada Wyms slammed down two kills and Chloe Emory collected one. Tori Edwards and Emory went back-to-back as part of the four-point run to grow the lead to 10-2.
 
A block by Wyms and Carli Berntson kicked off a six-point rally that pushed the advantage to 21-9, and a kill by Emory, followed by a C of I error, ended the first set 25-18.
 
A kill by Berntson and service ace by Martinez helped the Warriors to a 3-0 lead of the gate in set two before a kill by Wyms and a block by Wyms and Kierstyn York made it 5-1. The Yotes fought from behind to take an 11-10 lead, but a six-point stretch, sparked by a kill by Wyms, put LC State back in front. Martinez added two more aces in the run.
 
The Yotes again evened things up at 19-19, but a run of three with kills from Berntson and Emory and a block by Berntson and Elder propelled LC in front 22-19. A block by Wyms and Emory capped another three-point run at 25-20.
 
The Warriors responded to a 4-2 C of I lead with four points to take the lead in the third frame. Another run of four with kills by York and Berntson and a block by Jess Ruffing and Berntson made it 11-8 before a kill by Elder kept LC in front 13-11. The Warriors ended the set on a five-point run with a pair of big swings by Elder before a service ace by Ruffing closed out the match 25-18.
 
Emory led the match with 11 kills on a .458 attack percentage. Wyms and Berntson each added seven. Martinez ended her match with 19 assists and four service aces, while Ruffing dealt 12 assists. Wyms assisted on four blocks and Elder, Berntson and Emory each aided one three. Kenzie Dean led the back row with 14 digs.
 
Newcomer York contributed in the victory by stepping into the role opened by Ness's season-ending injury on Friday.
 
"I felt like Chloe struggled a bit yesterday and today she responded really well, and really the whole team did considering we had a career ending injury to one of our seniors," Pohlman explained. "Kierstyn stepped into that role and played her best game of the season. She came in at semester after graduating high school early; she has just fully committed to the process the entire time even putting in some extra reps so I'm happy for her that her hard work and sacrifice is paying off."
 
The Warriors wrap up the regular season in La Grande, Ore. on April 2 and 3 when they take on No. 8 Eastern Oregon. The first match of the weekend is slated for 7 p.m.
 
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