TWIN FALLS, Idaho - The 5th-ranked College of Southern Idaho Volleyball team and the 10th-ranked Snow College Badgers battled to the end Saturday, with the Golden Eagles coming out on top 15-25, 25-21, 16-25, 25-20, 19-17.
It was a slugfest offensively but in the end it was the CSI defense that kept rallies alive and allowed the Golden Eagles to take the match.
CSI combined for 90 digs in the match, led by Jojo Kruize's 21. Makayla Bradford added 19, Esti Wilson 16, Airi Miyabe 12 and Morgan Weatherwax 11.
Jasmyn Keohohina-Malina sparked the Golden Eagles throughout the match, ending with 16 kills and just one error.
CSI looked in control in set five to pull away, leading 13-9. But Snow fought back, scoring on a kill and three straight Golden Eagle hitting errors to tie it up.
Shiloh Peleras put CSI up 14-13 but Snow answered with a kill. The Golden Eagles again took the lead on Peleras kill but she followed it with an attack error. Snow then took its first lead of the set since it led 2-1 with a huge double block on Miyabe. She fought back with a kill to tie it at 16. Snow would take it's last lead of the night on a kill before Miyabe added another kill, Jovana Vukcevic put down a kill and Snow was called for a bad set to give the Golden Eagles the 19-17 victory.
The win put CSI in sole possession of first place in the SWAC. The Badgers beat #8 Salt Lake Friday in four sets.
A few Golden Eagles finished the match with double-doubles - Weatherwax (46 assists, 11 digs), Miyabe (10 kills, 12 digs) and Kruize (11 kills, 21 digs).
CSI hosts Treasure Valley CC Monday at 6 p.m. in a non-conference matchup.