WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE…
PULLMAN, Wash. -- The Washington State Cougars (6-0) remained perfect on the year, and in the 2018 Cougar Challenge with a victory over non-conference adversary Illinois State at Bohler Gym Friday evening.

WSU was powered on offense by junior Jocelyn Urias who complied a career high 18 kills during the match, along with adding a .571 attack percentage, four block assists, and three digs. 

Set scores for the match were: 25-19, 25-14, 21-25, and 25-21.

The opening set saw multiple lead changes early on between the competition, but a 6-1 point swing in favor of the home squad gave WSU the 19-15 advantage. The Cougars closed off the set victory on a 4-1 point run over ISU, with kills from seniors Taylor Mims, and Ella Lajos. 

Washington State took control of set two from the beginning, generating a 13-3 run over the Redbirds, for the 20-8 advantage. Mims once again was able to help seal off the set win with a kill at 25-14.

Illinois State flipped the script on the Cougars to start set three, jumping out to an 11-2 advantage over WSU. The Cougars did not go away quietly however, creating a 7-2 run of their own to come within one point away from ISU at 20-19, but the Redbirds were able to hang on for the 25-21 set win. 

Refocused, Washington State came back firing in set number four in this contest with a 6-2 lead, with some offensive attack power from McKenna Woodford, and Urias. WSU stayed in the driver's seat for the remainder of the set, defeating Illinois State in Bohler Gym 25-21 for the 3-1 match victory, with the final kill coming from Urias. 


STAT OF THE MATCH
Jocelyn Urias earned player of the match honors with her career high 18 kills on the night to lead WSU.


THE MOMENTS THAT MADE THE MATCH
 

S2 | The @29413Urias kill forces another ISU timeout, and gives WSU the commanding lead | WSU 21-9 #GoCougs #RiseAgain pic.twitter.com/xaCe4ggO1c

— Cougar Volleyball (@wsuvolleyball) September 8, 2018

 

S2 | @C_Martin12 continues to rack up block assists | WSU 10-5 #GoCougs #RiseAgain pic.twitter.com/UzR0q2RnTG

— Cougar Volleyball (@wsuvolleyball) September 8, 2018

 

S1 | Send it back! @kennabanena with the huge kill to get the offense rolling here early! WSU 7-4 #GoCougs #RiseAgain pic.twitter.com/iUVrEKStC6

— Cougar Volleyball (@wsuvolleyball) September 8, 2018

NOTES…

• WSU improved to 6-0 on the season for the first time since 2013 when the Cougars totaled 14-straight wins to begin the season.
• The Cougars outhit the Cowgirls .305-to-.157 in the contest. 
• Defensively Alexis Dirige provided 18 overall digs in the match-up, while Lajos led with eight total block assists. 
• Junior Ashley Brown recorded a match-high 41 total assists.
• Mims finished the night with 13 total kills, along with Lajos and Woodford who each added 12 of their own. 

>> Jocelyn Urias Post Match

>> Head Coach Jen Greeny Post Match
 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR…
WSU will wrap-up the 2018 Cougar Challenge Tournament tomorrow, Sept. 8, at Bohler Gym, hosting Stony Brook, with first serve scheduled for 12:00 p.m.