The WSU Volleyball team has come to an end after the Cougars lost three sets to nothing against Utah Valley University in the first round of the NIVC.
The NIVC is like the NIT for volleyball; it is a tournament that features some of the best teams left out from the 64-team NCAA bracket field. Washington State was projected to have a decent chance in this year’s NIVC, but could not put an end to the losing streak they finished the regular season on.
Washington State lost a close first set, 25 to 22, and was competitive early on. But Utah Valley took control of the second set, jumping in front and putting the Cougs down 25-13. The Cougs got off to a good start in set three, but ultimately went down 25 to 20. It was the first time Wazzu has been swept since Nov. 2 at Pepperdine.
Sage Brustad and Taryn Vrieling tied for the lead in kills with eight. In her last game as a Coug, Katy Ryan put up a quiet seven kills. She will finish 55 kills back of the top-ten all-time list for WSU, while also finishing two matches outside the top ten. Katy Ryan does finish seventh all-time in points scored at WSU.
The WSU Volleyball team finished their season with a road loss at Oregon State, followed by losses at home to San Francisco and Loyola Marymount. They finish the season 16-12, with an 11-7 record against the WCC. They finished fourth place in the WCC conference, a respectable finish for their first year in the conference.
