The No. 22-ranked Southern Oregon volleyball team opened the Raider Invitational with impressive back-to-back wins, defeating Simpson (Calif.) in a five-set match and Saint Mary (Neb.) in four sets. The Raiders overcame challenges in both matches, especially against Simpson, where they had to rally in the tiebreaker after nearly losing sets two and four. Key performances included senior outside hitter Maya Watters with 33 kills, and senior middle Tessa Zimmermann with 19 kills and 14 blocks, contributing to a robust team defense that limited opponents to a .126 attacking average.

By the Numbers
  • Maya Watters recorded 33 kills over the two matches.
  • SOU limited opponents to a combined .126 attacking average.
State of Play
  • SOU remains undefeated in 16 matchups against Simpson.
  • Freshman Briella Mathis contributed 10 kills and 14 digs in her debut.
What's Next

The Raiders will compete next weekend in Fullerton, California, facing off against top-ranked Northwestern (Iowa) and No. 15 The Master's (Calif.) at the Hope International Summer Slam.

Bottom Line

Southern Oregon's strong start at the Raider Invitational sets a positive momentum leading into tougher matches, showcasing their depth and resilience on both offense and defense.