BOISE, Idaho. – Eastern Washington fell to Boise State in three sets (16-25, 19-25, 22-25) in the final match of the Boise State Classic on Saturday.
Kalista Lukovich led the Eagles offensively with 11 kills, while
Sidney Gray anchored the defense at the net with a team-high four blocks.
Elle Bruegman added 14 digs, and
Jailyn Davenport recorded a double-double with 22 assists and 11 digs.
"We knew coming into this weekend that we were going to be tested by three strong programs, and I believe those matches gave us exactly what we needed," said head coach
Jon Haruguchi. "We learned a lot about ourselves and identified areas where we can continue to grow. Now it's time to get back in the gym, attack those areas and get better. I'm really pleased with a lot of what we showed this weekend. We need to keep challenging ourselves, embrace the work and continue moving this program forward."
Boise State jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the opening set before Eastern battled back to even the score at 8-8. The Broncos responded with a 9-3 run to regain control and build a 17-11 advantage. Lukovich provided a late push for the Eagles with back-to-back kills, but Boise State maintained its lead and took the opening set, 25-16.
The teams traded points early in the second set, with Eastern taking a 6-5 advantage following a kill from Gray. Boise State answered with an 8-1 run to pull ahead, 13-7. The Eagles continued to battle and trimmed the deficit to three at 20-17, highlighted by blocks from Gray and
Aspyn Reed. The Broncos regained momentum down the stretch and closed out the set, 25-19.
Eastern delivered its strongest push of the match in the third set as the two teams went back-and-forth throughout the frame. Neither side was able to create much separation before a late Eagle run, highlighted by a service ace from
Jade Livingston, gave Eastern a 20-18 advantage.
Boise State responded with six consecutive points to reach match point at 24-20. Lukovich kept the Eagles alive with a pair of late kills, but the Broncos ultimately closed out the set, 25-22, to complete the sweep.
Eastern now returns home to host the EWU Tournament from Sept. 17-19 in Cheney. The Eagles will welcome Nevada, CSU Bakersfield and Portland for their final non-conference tournament before Big Sky Conference play begins.
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ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Eastern Washington University Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, both as learning opportunities for its most athletically talented students and as an enhancement to student and community life. Eastern is affiliated with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is a member of the Big Sky Conference, an association of 10 regional schools with comparable enrollments and academic goals.
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