ASHLAND, Ore. – Despite getting off to a strong start in each set, the Lewis-Clark State College Volleyball team couldn't keep the momentum going and fell to No. 22-ranked Southern Oregon 25-20, 25-16, 25-20 in Cascade Collegiate Conference action on Saturday.
The Warriors, 6-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play, led early in all three sets but Southern Oregon, 8-1 and 2-0, rallied in each for the win.
"SOU is a national powerhouse in NAIA volleyball and we had some really strong moments that showed we can compete at that high of a level, but we just couldn't do it consistently enough," LC State coach
Shaun Pohlman said.
LC State and SOU were tied at 9 in the first set, but eventually the Warriors rolled off four straight points for a 16-15 lead. With the set tied at 18, SOU ran off three straight points. The Warriors did cut it to 22-20, but the Raiders scored the final three points to close it out.
In the second set, LC State led 5-1, but SOU outscored the Warriors 14-4 for a 15-9 lead. The Warriors couldn't get close than five the rest of the way. LC State led 7-4 in the third set and the score remained close. The Raiders led 19-18 and used a 6-2 run to close out the match.
Grecia Un Enriquez led the Warriors with nine kills and two blocks, while
Lisi Langi added seven kills and three blocks.
Jada Wyms had six kills and five blocks.
Jennah Carpenter added 13 assists and 10 digs, while
Kenzie Dean also had 10 digs.
"We had a pretty strong defensive showing matching them in digs and blocks, but we just did not have enough offensive firepower," Pohlman said. "Part of that is our hitters, but it's mostly the growing pains of having all new setters."
Pohlman said an injury to one of the setters who played a key role in the five-set win against Oregon Tech on Friday night, also hurt the Warriors.
"This is just something we are going to have to keep grinding on daily until we get them where they need to be," Pohlman said. "There is no shortcut or magic sprinkle dust, just perseverance and a strong work ethic mixed with reps. These setters have the first two things, we just have to put in the time to get those reps."
The Warriors return to action in their home opener on Friday, facing another tough challenge in No. 7-ranked Eastern Oregon. The match is set for 7 p.m. at the P1FCU Activity Center. On Saturday, the Warriors will host College of Idaho at 5 p.m.
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