TWIN FALLS - Nothing came easy for the third-ranked College of Southern Idaho Volleyball Team Friday, but the Golden Eagles found a way to beat North Idaho 25-17, 17-25, 25-19, 22-25, 15-5 and then followed that up with a 25-18, 25-19, 27-29, 17-25, 15-13 victory over #16 Central Florida in the Starr Corporation Invitational.
The Golden Eagles opened both matches looking fairly dominant in game one but both opponents fought back to make each match exciting.
Against North Idaho, the CSI middles dominated early. Tawnee Luafalemana finished the match with 15 kills and three blocks, while Larissa Dos Santos added 14 kills and four blocks. Outside hitters Alexandra Espinosa and Alycia Wodke combined for 24 kills and 26 digs. Libero Luana Thompson finished the match with a team-leading 16 digs.
In the Central Florida match three Golden Eagles finished with double-doubles, led by Wodke's 21 kills and 22 digs. Luafalemana added 13 kills and 11 blocks, while Espinosa had 13 kills and 13 digs. Regan Harr posted 58 assists and Thompson added 13 digs.
The Golden Eagles face #15 Hutchinson CC Saturday at 9 a.m., a team that beat #5 Salt Lake in three sets Friday. CSI finishes up the tournament Saturday at 3 p.m. against Chemeketa CC.