EUGENE, Ore. (September 5, 2026) — Washington State defeated LIU 3-0 Saturday, winning 25-14, 25-17, 25-19 at Matthew Knight Arena.
WSU held LIU to 23 kills and a -.045 hitting percentage while totaling 12 blocks and seven service aces.
This marks the second match this season in which WSU has held an opponent to a negative hitting percentage. Additionally, Washington State has held every opponent to under a .135 hitting percentage this season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After LIU moved in front 7-6 in the opening set, a service error brought WSU even and started a seven-point push to 13-7. Kambree Rodriguez served six straight points during that stretch, with Kate Hayhurst and Naomi White combining on two blocks, White adding another block, Mary Healy recording a kill, and Rodriguez closing the run with an ace. The Cougars kept adding separation with kills from White, Eliana Tia, and Whitney Dewicki during a stretch that moved the set to 18-9. LIU reached 20-12, but WSU took three of the next four points and finished the set on an LIU attack error for a 25-14 win. This was Washington State's third sweep in its four games this season.
The second set stayed even through 9-9, with Dewicki serving back-to-back aces for a 5-3 Wazzu lead before LIU pulled level. WSU then won seven of the next eight rallies, using a Dewicki kill, a block by Dewicki and White, and two Tia kills to move from 10-9 to 17-10. LIU trimmed the margin to 19-14, but the Cougars reached 23-15 after a Mary Healy kill and Rodriguez ace before a Tia kill brought set point and an LIU attack error closed the set 25-17.
After LIU moved ahead 2-1, kills by Kryssa Moerman and Tia put WSU in front 3-2, and after LIU tied it, Tia and Mary Healy kills around an LIU attack error pushed the lead to 6-3. Rodriguez served consecutive aces to make it 9-4, but LIU later narrowed the set to 16-14 on a WSU service error and a bad set. The Cougars won seven of the next eight rallies, a stretch that included a Kate Hayhurst ace, three LIU errors, a White block, and a Dewicki kill for a 23-15 lead. LIU scored three of the next four points before Dewicki finished the set with a kill from Audrey Hollis for a 25-19 WSU win.
WSU Top Performers
Eliana Tia
- 15 kills on .316 hitting
- 16.5 points
- 9 digs
- 3 blocks
- Achieved a season-high hitting percentage of .316.
Naomi White
- 9 blocks, including 3 solo
- 8.0 points
- 2 kills
- Recorded a season-high total of 9 blocks.
Kambree Rodriguez
- 4 service aces
- 13 digs
- 1 assist
- Achieved 4 serve aces, marking a season high.
Audrey Hollis
- 18 assists
- 4 digs
- 1 block
Whitney Dewicki
- 6 kills on .263 hitting
- 2 service aces
- 8.5 points
Up next, WSU travels to Eugene, Ore., to face Oregon Sunday, Sept. 6, at noon.
Game Notes
- The last time WSU volleyball started a season 4-0 was the 2018 season.
- WSU has achieved at least 12 blocks in three consecutive games this season.
- Moerman has registered at least 3 total blocks in four consecutive games.
- WSU has held an opponent to a negative hitting percentage twice this season.
- The Cougars have held every opponent to under a .135 hitting percentage this season.
2026 Season Tickets
Season tickets for the 2026 WSU Volleyball season are on sale and can be purchased HERE. Secure your seat in Bohler Gym and don’t miss out on the action this fall.
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