PULLMAN, Wash. -- The Washington State volleyball team moved to 7-1 on the season with a 25-22, 25-22, 25-20 win over Ball State (4-5) before 816 fans Friday night at the Cougar Challenge tournament in Bohler Gym.
WSU junior Kyra Holt led the match with 15 kills and added eight digs. Freshman McKenna Woodford contributed 11 kills, an ace, four digs and two blocks. Three more Cougar frosh, Taylor Mims, Claire Martin and Olivia Coale also had an impact on the win tonight. Mims had six kills and two blocks while Martin had three kills and four blocks. Coale had four of the team's eight aces. Haley MacDonald set up 32 assists with eight digs and three blocks.
The BSU Cardinals were led by the 11 kills from Ellie Dunn. Kati Vasalakis had 13 digs and Jenna Spadafora had 26 assists, eight assists, two aces and two blocks.
WSU hit .223 on the night with eight team blocks. Ball State hit .175 for the match and had three team blocks.
When asked about the caliber of her team's play today, especially when the score was tight at the end of the sets, WSU Head Coach Jen Greeny said, “I think we played a more solid match this evening than we did this morning. And I think it gets really typical in teams, but I'm really proud of the way that we did fight through. Those were some tough stretches and we're able to come through with a three-set victory both matches.”
Regarding the level and consistency of the play of the Cougar freshmen, Greeny said, “It's getting there. It's definitely getting there. More moments of them really talking and doing the right things and they'll just continue to get better.”
“This is a great Utah Valley team that has done a fabulous job and have a lot of weapons,” Greeny said about the WSU opponent tomorrow night. “They have shown some great things against these teams already by sweeping them, so it will be a tough match.”
In a match earlier this evening, Utah Valley University (4-5) defeated Morehead State (2-7) with scores of 25-13, 25-21, and 25-17.
The Cougar Challenge continues tomorrow evening with Ball State (4-5) playing Morehead State (2-7) at 5 p.m., and Washington State (7-1) taking on Utah Valley (4-5) at 7 p.m. in Bohler Gym.