by SEATTLE – This Husky Volleyball senior class has accomplished a remarkable amount, but one thing they had yet to do was post a sweep in the Boeing Apple Cup Series rivalry with Washington State. The Dawgs checked that one off the list tonight at Alaska Airlines Arena, rolling to a 25-15, 25-14, 25-22 win in front of a season-high 3,838 fans in the Pac-12 opener.
UW (9-2, 1-0 Pac-12) is chasing a third-straight Pac-12 title, and started that pursuit in impressive fashion, hitting a scorching .412 for the match to get the first sweep in the series for either team since Nov. 24, 2017, which was another 3-0 win for the Huskies at home. In-between the two Husky sweeps, the teams had gone the full five sets on four occasions, and to four sets twice.
“Outstanding execution from our group from start to finish,” said Head Coach Keegan Cook. “It was a great environment, and I liked the message that it sends to the rest of the conference that we’re here to compete again, despite what people think we may or may not be at this point.”
Washington got phenomenal offensive showings from Claire Hoffman, Emoni Bush (Wei Wai Kum First Nation), and Marin Grote, with a lot of credit for that as usual going to the passers and setter Ella May Powell, who had 40 assists.
Hoffman put away 18 kills and hit .394, while Bush hit a career-high .550 with 13 kills on 20 swings and just two errors. Grote killed nine of 12 swings with just one error for a .667 attack percentage and a pair of blocks.
Lauren Bays returned to action after missing last week’s road trip and led the defense with 12 digs, as UW held the Cougars to a .146 attack percentage and owned a 42-30 edge in digs.
“The first two sets looked like Washington volleyball. I think we had three total errors, which is just going to create pressure on your opponents to find answers that may not be there. Most improvement was behind the block. Our defenders are creating more than they did last year. All sorts of people are making contributions.”
