In the first of two weekend matches against Eastern Washington and first match of 2024 in Bohler Gym, WSU volleyball (2-2, 0-0 WCC) took down the Eagles (1-3, 0-0 Big Sky).
After losing the first set by allowing Eastern to score six of the last eight points, WSU took control to allow no more than 21 points in the final three sets. Eventually, the Cougs won 3-1 (23-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-19) behind a kill advantage of 52 to 39.
WSU managed several leads in the first set, but Eastern kept it close before going on their best run after the 40th serve. After the opening set, however, the Eagles never had the lead after the 11th serve.
In the final three sets, WSU proved they can close the deal when it matters. In the second set, they won four of the last five points despite giving up a 5-0 run that tied the score at 19. In the third set, the Cougs built a 22-18 lead and the two teams split the rest of the serves. Finally, the fourth set saw WSU clinch mainly after dominating to a 23-15 lead.
Playing against her former program for the first time, Sage Brustad had an up-and-down performance. Despite her second-best on the team 12 kills, she had 13 attack errors. To help negate the negatives, she had her first WSU double-double after tacking on 13 digs to her performance.
Reigning defensive player of the week Emma Barbero had yet another 20-dig showing, the fourth consecutive such performance to open the season. Italia Bernal finished close behind her with 17 digs, along with 43 assists.
Those assists were spread among the team. Katy Ryan and Lucie Blažková joined in the double-digit kill club, finishing with 13 and 11, respectively.
Breccan Scheck, who turned 18 during the preseason, had another all-around performance with two kills and four total blocks, bringing her season totals to 22 and 17, respectively. Head coach Korey Shroeder said prior to Friday’s match that she has been one of most impressive players of the young season through her ability to immediately contribute.
“She’s just her authentic self on the court, off the court. It’s really impressive of how she’s handled things, has been put in a big role here, and she’s handled it,” he said.
Fresh off their win, WSU and EWU have another shot at one another. At 6 p.m. Monday, the two programs play their second match in Cheney, Washington.
