On Saturday the Yavapai volleyball team hit the road for a pair of matches at Ottawa University. The first was a scrimmage with the junior varsity team from Ottawa so the results are not official but Yavapai played well and won 3-0.

The evening match against the varsity squad from Ottawa University was a closely contested battle from start to finish. Ottawa started strong and took an early lead. Yavapai made a scoring run late in the first set to close the gap but fell 23-25. Set 2 saw several lead changes but the Roughriders prevailed 26-24. The 3rd set found the Roughriders with a solid lead late but Ottawa fought hard knowing that a 2 sets to 1 lead in the match was at stake. Yavapai's block came on strong at the end of the 3rd set and Yavapai prevailed 25-23. The Roughriders played exceptionally well in the 4th set while hitting .233 and sealed the 3-1 victory by winning set for 25-20.

Two Roughriders accumulated double digit kills in the match, both freshmen outside hitters Kierslynn Wright and Sophia Parlanti. Wright knocked down 17 kills to go along with 14 digs. Parlanti grabbed 11 kills and 9 digs. Sophomore middle blocker Savannah McEwan led the Roughriders with a hitting percentage of .444 and added 3 blocks. Sophomore libero Brooklyn Holland added 12 digs to the defensive effort. Freshman setter Brooke Parker earned a double / double with 17 assists and 12 digs. 

Yavapai has a big week ahead of them as they host the Dalton Overstreet Invitational Thursday - Saturday. The Roughriders will play 5 matches over the 3 days and all will be against opponents who qualified for the NJCAA National Championship Tournament last spring. Their first challenge will be Florida Southwestern State College who is currently ranked #7. The Roughrider currenly own a 3-2 overall record and are ranked #16.