Eagles prevail in Big Sky opener

Allie Schumacher registered 24 kills and 11 digs to help host Eastern Washington plow out of a two-set hole Thursday and beat Sacramento State 15-25, 17-25, 25-18, 25-20, 15-12 in a Big Sky Conference opener for both teams in Cheney.

Lindsay Niemeier had 44 assists for the Eagles (4-8 overall), who held on to win a back-and-forth final set capped by three straight kills by Schumacher after the Hornets (5-7) pulled to within 12-11.

Melissa Waelter added 14 kills and a team-high three aces for EWU.

Washington St. 3, Idaho 0: Freshmen Kyra Holt and Emmy Allen tallied 23 combined kills and Camryn Irwin served four aces and made 35 assists as the Cougars defeated the visiting Vandals 25-22, 25-20, 25-17 in the first match of the Cougar Invitational tournament at Bohler Gym.

Jessica Hastriter led Idaho (6-5) with 13 kills and Meredith Coba had 28 assists for Idaho.

WSU’s 11-0 start to the season is tied for second place all-time behind a 16-0 start in 1997.

The Cougars host a pair of games today with Seattle University at 11 a.m. and Nevada at 7 p.m. Idaho plays Nevada at 1 p.m.

Pacific 3, Gonzaga 1: The Tigers stormed to a 22-25, 25-23, 25-19, 25-18 victory over the Bulldogs after losing the first set of a West Coast Conference opener for both teams in Stockton, Calif.

Savanah Blinn led the way with 16 kills and Lauren Joseph added 19 assists for the Bulldogs (4-6 overall). Kathleen Wright led the way with 15 digs for GU.

Pacific (8-4) was playing its first match as a member of the WCC.