Mounties reel off four straight
By Casey Kellas
Voice Sports Editor
Posted 10/29/2009
It's better late than never. Or so the old saying goes anyway. But that saying applies to the Eastern Oregon University volleyball team in 2009.
Searching for answers all year long, the Mountaineers are finally starting to play the best volleyball of the season as the schedule is winding down.
Since a 3-1 loss to Southern Oregon in Ashland Oct. 10 dropped the Mounties' record to 9-7, Eastern Oregon has won four consecutive matches, never losing a game along the way.
It all started with a visit from Northwest Christian University Oct. 16. The Mounties jumped all over NCU from the outset, taking the match in three games 25-9, 25-13 and 25-12.
EOU was led by Jessica Lea with nine kills, 16 assists and five digs. Grace Deboodt and Melanie Ceciliani each added seven kills while Chelsea Herron chipped in with 14 assists.
It was only a sign of what was yet to come for EOU. On Oct. 17, the Mountaineers hosted Corban College in a conference rematch. Eastern swept Corban in the first meeting of the season in Salem.
EOU Athletes wore pink during Homecoming weekend in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Things wouldn't be much different this time around as EOU pulled out another sweep on Homecoming weekend 25-13, 25-23 and 25-15.
It was a great weekend for us, EOU head coach Kaki Morehead said. We played well in front of the home crowd and took care of business.
Deboodt had a big night for the Mounties with eight kills and six digs. Lea had eight kills and 18 assists for the match.
Next up, Eastern had to take the show on the road, with a visit to Kirkland, Wash., and Northwest University.
EOU had trouble in the first two games, but was still able to pick up a third straight sweep 25-22, 25-22 and 25-19.
Deboodt had 15 kills and 16 digs, while Kaitlin Duncan had 12 digs for the match.
The Mountaineers then traveled to Evergreen State College for another Cascade Conference showdown.
The Geoducks never stood a chance as the Mountaineers' big hitters controlled the match en route to a 25-12, 25-15 and 25-13 victory.
"It's always good to have a sweep on a long road trip," Eastern head coach Kaki Morehead said. "The girls played well and it was nice to have a unified effort."
With the win, EOU clinched a spot in the playoffs and sits in fourth place in the CCC.
Out of the 13 conference wins for Eastern Oregon, nine have been by way of a sweep.
The Mounties now have a tough task with a road trip to Caldwell, Idaho and No. 8 College of Idaho Oct. 30.
The Cascade Conference Tournament is scheduled to start Nov. 13.
