ASHLAND, Ore. -- Despite another strong defensive effort from Molly Packer (Jr., L), The Evergreen State College volleyball team lost to Southern Oregon University, ranked #5 in the NAIA, 3-0 on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Lithia Motors Pavilion. The Raiders took the first set 25-17 and won the next two sets 25-12 and 25-14.

Southern Oregon upped its record to 14-1 on the season and to 8-1 in the Cascade Collegiate Conference. Evergreen fell to 3-10 overall, 3-6 in the CCC.

Packer accumulated 18 digs during the match, giving her 10 or more digs in all 13 matches this season. The defense of the Geoducks also recorded 8.0 team total blocks. Kaiyah Brown (Sr., MB) provided one solo block and three block assists, while Marin Collins (Jr., MB) and Sophia Scroggins (So., OPP/MB) each registered four block assists. Scroggins also led the Geoducks with five kills. Yasmin Dillworth (Sr., OH) added four kills.

Marin Mackey from Southern Oregon topped all players with 13 kills. Hannah Stadstad and Megan Perry both finished with seven kills. Alex Ching-Sam supplied 17 assists to lead three SOU players in double figures. 

Kayla Neidigh of the Raiders matched Packer of Evergreen with 18 digs. Amanda Moffat tacked on 13 digs for the Raiders.

Evergreen trailed by a 9-8 score in the first set after an SOU serving error. The Raiders earned the next three points for a 12-8 advantage and gradually increased their lead. Evergreen was within 17-10 following a kill by Collins. Southern Oregon expanded the margin to 21-11 and won the set 25-17 despite the Geoducks winning six of the final 10 points.

In the second set, the Geoducks forced a 5-5 tied after 10 rallies, as Scroggins equalized the score with a kill. SOU tallied the next three points and kept the lead. A kill by Maloree Calzadillas (Sr., S) pulled Evergreen within 13-9, but the Raiders pulled away for a 25-12 victory.

SOU recorded the first four points in the third set. Evergreen cut the lead to 4-3 following one kill each by Scroggins and Dilworth, plus a combo block by Dilworth and Collins. The Raiders held a close 8-6 edge after a block by Evergreen's Brown and Ashley Walker Campbell (Jr., OPP). Southern Oregon tacked on a 5-1 run and eventually won the set 25-14.

Evergreen will host Bushnell University in a CCC match on Friday, Oct. 4. Match time is 6 p.m. PDT at the Costantino Recreation Center.