Oregon State fell to Washington State 3-1 in Corvallis on Sunday, dropping their record to 14-7 overall and 8-3 in WCC play. The Beavers fell from a tie for second place in the WCC to third overall and tied with the Cougs.
Washington State improved to 14-7 overall and 8-3 in conference play. The Cougars relied on a balanced attack and timely defensive plays to earn the four-set victory.
The match began with Oregon State taking the first set 25-17. Lauren Rumel led the Beavers with 17 kills, with Maeli Cormier adding 11 kills and Nathalie Scholz’s six. Cheyenne Green contributed to net play with six blocks, and Jackie Matias added 30 assists (out of the team’s total of 37) and two blocks. Yasemin Narlioglu added 18 digs, while Rumel had 13, which allowed the Beavers to maintain control in the first set.
Washington State began to take control of the match in the second set, winning 25-23. Lucie Blazkova led the Cougars with 15 kills for the match, and Melina Christodoulou added 13 kills.
Tinons Munar Galmes delivered three service aces and 14 digs, allowing the Cougars to protect the net and keep the Beavers away from easy scoring opportunities. Camryn Lingenbrink added five total blocks in the match, helping Washington State to carry the momentum.
The Cougars were able to carry that momentum into the third set, capturing it 27-25 in a back and forth battle. WSU’s Italia Bernal led the Cougs with 24 assists, creating scoring opportunities across the duration of the contest. Livia Ward contributed 17 assists and three aces, while Eliana Tia added nine kills and three blocks.
The Cougars’ were effective at the net, which allowed them to win enough of the long rallies and edge Oregon State in the crucial moments.
Leading two sets to one, the Cougars entered the fourth set on a two-set winning streak. Washington State dominated the fourth set 25-14, holding the Beavers at bay to close out the match.
Wazzu’s accurate serving and execution both at the net and in the back allowed the Cougars to take the final set. For the match, WSU totaled 53 kills, 22 errors, and a .211 hitting percentage, while Oregon State had 45 kills, 19 errors, and a .197 hitting percentage. Both teams performed well defensively, as Washington State recorded 13 blocks, compared to Oregon State’s 10 blocks; both teams recorded 61 digs..
Rumel (17 kills, 13 digs, two aces), Matias (30 assists, 9 digs, two blocks), and Narlioglu (18 digs) were the top producers for Oregon State, while Washington State saw Blazkova (15 kills), Christodoulou (13 kills), Munar Galmes (14 digs, three aces), and Lingenbrink (five blocks) lead the Cougs.
With the win, Washington State strengthens its position in the WCC standings and continues to build momentum as conference play progresses. Oregon State will look to rebound against St. Mary’s to maintain their grasp on second place in the standings.
The Beavers will return to action against St. Mary’s in Moraga, CA on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
