TWIN FALLS, Idaho - The College of Southern Idaho took control early and then hung on to beat the College of Southern Nevada 25-13, 25-17, 15-25, 20-25, 15-9 in the semifinals of the Region 18 Tournament Friday night.
The win sends the Golden Eagles to the championship match Saturday against Snow College at 1 p.m.
CSI dominated the opening two sets but then struggled to string anything together, falling in the next two sets and setting up a fifth and decisive game.
The Golden Eagles went point for point with CSN to an 8-7 lead. That's when CSI stepped up its game. Payton Spoja put down a kill and then went on to serve the next four points, giving the Golden Eagles the 13-7 lead. After a kill by CSN pulled the Coyotes within 13-8, Airi Miyabe put down a kill to give the Golden Eagles match point. Miyabe was blocked on the next point but bounced back with a kill to end it.
Miyabe ended the match with 20 kills and 14 digs. Jovana Vukcevic added 14 kills and nine digs. Defensively, Kylie Baumert led the Golden Eagles with 23 digs and seven assists. Brianna Barta posted 29 assists and three blocks.
Spoja added seven kills and 12 digs.