Looking to improve on their record breaking season, the No.12 USU Eastern women's volleyball team did just that; sweeping the competition Friday in Nebraska.  The Lady Eagles defeated Sheridan College in the first contest of the two-day tournament.  After a long days drive and a short night, the Eagles came out with intensity and didn't slow down in their sweep against the Generals. Each set played out like clockwork with scores of 25-16, 25-13, and 25-16.  Outside hitter Kiara Richardson led the team adding to her #1 position in the nation with 15 kills.   Ashlee McUne fed the offense with 47 assists and 3 aces.  Defensively Alyssa Simmons helped protect the net with 5 blocks and Libero Avery Best stayed on the move with 21 digs.

"As a coach, going into the fifth tournament weekend, you get a little nervous about the team's energy and endurance.  We've played over seventy sets in five different states so far this season but these players are doing what it takes to be ready for every game; these two competitions were no different.  With only a few days at home between tournaments, the team is focused and determined in practice.  Many of them are putting time in outside of our daily team practice.  Two hours a day is not enough to out-perform the competition and these players understand that," said Head Coach Danielle Jensen.  

Later in the day the Lady Eagles wouldn't skip a beat as their offense was relentless in the first two sets against Trinidad State College.  In the third set the defense came up big for USU Eastern as the Trojans began to gain momentum halfway through the set.  That momentum deteriorated quickly thanks to the scrappy, back row defenders who have played a key role in the team's success this year.  The final scores of this matchup were 25-19, 25-12, and 25-19.  USU Eastern volleyball has crushed the stats nationally in defense and offense.  This game would justify their top ranking statistically.  Opposite hitter Sunny Perry led in kills with 12.  Kahea Nihipali had 5 blocks on the game with setter Ashlee McUne adding to her #1 spot nationally with 47 assists.  Avery Best had another big showing defensively with 21 digs.  

When asked about the win, defensive specialist Kennedy Poulton said, "We played really well as one. Our energy, grit, and effort came together at the right moment to take a win.  We went out ready to play and we left it all out on the court.  Our game and this program is based on playing as a family and that really contributed today and brought us two good wins!"

The team will finish out the Wyo-Braska Tournament tomorrow in Torrington, Wyoming competing against Western Wyoming bright and early at 8AM.  In the afternoon, Eastern Wyoming will be looking for an upset against the 12th ranked Lady Eagles at 2PM.  These games can be viewed on Facebook Live under USU Eastern's Women's Volleyball page.