Volleyball Moves to 7-1 after Sweep of George Washington

Friday, September 9

Pullman, Wash.

7:30 PM

Washington State University

7-1

George Washington

5-4

George Washington

Washington State

September 09, 2016 | Volleyball

Box Score Highlights: Volleyball vs. GWU

By: Washington State Athletic Communications

PULLMAN, Wash. –The Washington State volleyball team, also receiving votes in the latest AVCA Coaches Top 25 Poll, moved to a 7-1 season record with a 25-18, 25-21, 25-15 win over George Washington (5-4) in the Friday night match at the Cougar Challenge Tournament in Bohler Gym.

It was another outstanding hitting match for the Cougars, led by the 15 kills (.385) and three blocks of senior Kyra Holt. Sophomore McKenna Woodford has 10 kills with only one error in 17 attacks for a match-high .529 hitting percentage. Senior Hailey Bethune added eight kills, hitting .400, and a pair of blocks. WSU owned the front row with 10 team blocks led by Claire Martin's five stops and Taylor Mims' four blocks. Setters Haley MacDonald and Nicole Rigoni each had 18 assists with Rigoni serving a pair of aces. Alexis Dirige and Holt each had six digs.

George Washington's kills leaders were Kristel Moor with eight (.053) and Loren Williams with seven (.091). Alexis Lete had two blocks while Skylar Iott led the Colonials with six digs. The Cougars held GWU to a .100 team hitting percentage and three blocks.

The Cougars hit .357 as a team for the match and held GWU to a .100 team hitting percentage and three blocks.

"I'm very proud of this team and it was a great day at the Cougar Challenge and it's very nice to be back at home in Bohler Gym," WSU Head Coach Jen Greeny said. "It was a great all-around performance by each of our players. We strive to get all of our hitters into the mix and be unpredictable and I thought our setters did a fantastic job of getting all or our hitters going, especially Hailey Bethune. And then tonight, both of our left sides, Kyra Holt and McKenna Woodford, did a very nice job. It was great to get two sweeps and we'll be ready to go tomorrow."

Through two matches in this tournament, Holt is averaging 3.33 kills per set and hitting .366, Bethune is also averaging 3.33 kps and hitting .548, and Woodford is averaging 3.00 kps and hitting .457.

In the earlier matches Friday at the Cougar Challenge: George Washington defeated Idaho 3-0 and Idaho defeated Maryland Eastern Shore 3-1. WSU defeated Maryland Eastern Shore 3-0.

Saturday Cougar Challenge tournament action starts at 10 a.m. in Bohler Gym when George Washington meets Maryland Eastern Shore followed by the Battle of the Palouse: WSU takes on Idaho at 1 p.m.