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--> --> Sept. 26: SOU rallies in three to down Oregon Tech By Sarah Petersen Ashland Daily Tidings Intensity, desire and determination were the key elements for the Southern Oregon University volleyball squad Wednesday night. The Raiders (8-4, 3-3) rallied against Oregon Tech and dumped the Owls in three games 30-20, 30-28, 30-21 at McNeal Pavilion. "We're getting better every day," head coach Paul Elliott said. "We had a couple of really good practices this week and it showed. We are getting more comfortable on the court. "I knew this match would be tough because of the rivalry, but this team makes me feel confident." The Raiders confidence soared in all three matches. In the first game sophomore Kristina Matchett gave the Raiders an edge by pounding the ball into the Owl defense nine times for kills and paced the Raiders to an 18-11 lead. The Owls battled back but after a long rally senior Shelly Gorin nailed a kill to end the game at 30-20. Trailing 12-6 in Game 2, SOU came back to force five ties before staking a 28-26 margin on a cross-court smash by sophomore Sara Tatom. The Owls responded with two kills, but the Raiders clinched the frame on kills from Gorin and sophomore middle blocker Lindsey Aitchison. OIT led 5-3 in Game 3, but Raider runs of 6-0 and 10-2 sealed the game and match. "I came out tonight just like I always do," Matchett said. "It felt really good to beat them in three. They are my home town and I played in high school with two of the girls." Matchett led the Raiders with 19 kills while Gorin chipped in with 12 kills and 17 digs. Senior setter Sabrina Garboden assisted 49 of SOU's 55 kills and also added 10 digs. "Our defense was outstanding tonight," Elliott said. "It's the little types of defensive plays and scrambles that keep the momentum for your team." The Raiders will take to the road for its next six games starting with Evergreen State at 7 p.m. on Friday night. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing