ODESSA, Texas - The College of Southern Idaho Volleyball Team learned they can compete with anyone this weekend in the New Mexico Military Institute Invitational Friday and Saturday.
The Golden Eagles beat Vernon College 25-19, 25-9, 25-20 and 16th-ranked NMMI 18-25, 25-20, 25-13, 25-17 before falling to #1 Navarro 20-25, 25-20, 21-25, 25-20, 25-11 and #5 Odessa College 25-23, 25-22, 27-25. 
Against Vernon Taylor Burnham led the offense with 10 kills. Savannah Taosoga added eight. Defensively, Saryiah Kahakai posted 11 digs and Burnham had five blocks.
In the NMMI match, Burnham again led the Golden Eagles with 10 kills, while Taosoga and Hannah Karrasch each had nine. Hannah Randall finished the match with 21 assists, while Burnham had 14 digs and Miyu Tsurumaki added 12. Brooke Weston finished with four blocks.
Despite losing both matches Saturday, there were some bright spots.
Karrasch and Burnham each tallied 11 kills against Navarro. Tsurumaki led the team defensively with 20 digs. Burnham added 13. Karrasch finished with a team-high three blocks.
The Golden Eagles stayed right with Odessa, who went undefeated on the weekend, but just couldn't pull it out. Burnham led the way with 16 kills, 14 digs and three blocks. Taosoga added 12 kills. Tsurumaki finished with 18 digs. Both Kahakai and Kerra Trimble added 15 digs. Keau Kamakeeaina posted 21 assists.
CSI travels to Salt Lake Friday and Saturday for a two-day tournament.