On Friday morning Yavapai did not rebound form their tough loss on Thursday night to #6 Florida Southwestern State College (1-3). Instead they accumulated 33 hitting errors in 4 sets and fell to Wallace State College 25-21, 23-25, 16-25, 17-25. 

Sophomore liber Brooklyn Holland was the only Roughrider with double digit digs (14) and the only player to knock down double digit kills was freshman outside hitter Kierslynn Wright (15).

In the nightcap on Friday Yavapai played the #4 nationally ranked Eagles from Utah State University - Eastern. The play of the Roughriders was much improved and the end result showed it as Yavapai came away with a 3-2. (15-25, 25-22, 25-18, 15-25, 17-15)

Sophomore right side hitter Samantha Holman had her best match of the season with a team high 17 kills (.283) and was second on the team with 8 block assists. Holman also chipped in 10 digs to grab her first double / double of the season. Blocking was the deciding factor in the match as Yavapai totaled 36 block assits and 1 solo block. Leading the Roughriders was sophomore middle blocker Paiten Langston with 13 block assists and the 1 solo block. Langston was effective offensively as well hitting a team high .4612 with 7 kills. Freshman setter Brooke Parker distributed the offense effectively earning herself 41 assists. Parker also contributed 5 kills and 11 digs. Sophomore libero Brooklyn Holland was 1 shy of 20 digs but led the team with 19. 

Yavapai out hit USUE .159 to .115 and out blocked the Eagles 19 total blocks to 10. USUE did produce more digs than Yavapai 103 to 69 and more kills 58 to 47 but the 17-15 score in the 5th set sealed the victory for Yavapai.

The Roughriders will look to challenge themselves again against the #2 ranked Snow College Badgers at 6:00 pm on Saturday.Yavapai will then travel over Mingus Mountain for a 7:00 pm match against Ottawa University on Wednesday 9/8 which will be played at Mingus Union High School. Admission will be free on 9/8.

Photo credits to Chris Henstra.