LUBBOCK, Texas --The Washington State volleyball team (9-1) swept Northwestern State (2-9) in the Cougars opening match at the Texas Tech Lone Star Showdown Friday afternoon. WSU won with set scores of 25-23, 25-14, and 25-22.
Junior Kyra Holt led WSU with 12 kills, two aces, two blocks and seven digs. Haley MacDonald, ranked the ninth-best server in the nation, tallied three aces in addition to her 27 assists and 11 digs. McKenna Woodford and Hailey Bethune each contributed six kills and combined for five blocks. Kate Sommer led WSU with 13 digs. Haley DeSales had two aces.
The Lady Demons were led by Lauren Agan and Amanda Kunz who combined for 17 kills. Bailey Martin led the match with 17 digs while Agan added 10 digs.
WSU never trailed in the first set but the score was tight throughout. The second set was dominated by the Cougars. The third set saw a lot of WSU players come off the bench to give rest to the starters in preparation of the quick turnaround for the night match.
Cougars hit .192 for the match and held NWS to a .099 team hitting percentage. WSU served nine aces to NWS' two.
”It was a little bit inconsistent but I thought our serving really kept us in the match and kept them out of system so that helps us a lot,” Cougar Head Coach Jen Greeny said. “It will have to be a lot cleaner tonight against Texas Tech.”
At 5 p.m. PT today, Washington State takes on Lone Star Showdown host Texas Tech (10-2) and then concludes with a Sat., Sept. 19, match versus Portland State set for 9 a.m. PT.
