Rivalry games are always fun.  The trash talking, the pre-gram rituals, the traditions behind them.

In Oregon, we got Portland State and University of Portland; University of Oregon and Oregon State.

At the south end of the state, however, we got our own rivarly game, Southern Oregon and Oregon Tech.

The volleyball game is also  has a tad bit more fun to it, both team’s are battling for that first conference win in both team’s first conference game of the season.

Since 2008, SOU has held a 10-match winning streak.

And this one didn’t fail to impress.

Of the three sets, two of which wounded up being nail biters as the Owls took a 9-3 lead during the first set, but the Raiders stormed back on a 13-3 run to take a 16-12 lead.

Bring on the trade offs.  Tie one moment, a team takes the lead, it’s tied again.

It was tied at 28, an team needs the two-point advantaged to win the set; and SOU got it.  As they scored the last two points to win the first set 30-28.

This battle continued into the second set before SOU had the only decisive set win as they went on a 7-1 run to take the set, 25-16.

The third set was similar to that of the first set in the back and forth battling until Oregon Tech found themselves   in a comfortable 24-21 game point situation.

The Owls felt comfortable as they did on the next serve.

But, that’s before an attack error by Oregon Tech triggered what could have been considered the dagger in the match as the Raiders finished the comeback and stole the set and the match on a five-point run to sweep the Owls, 26-24.

“I think that’s a really big win for such a young team,” said head coach Josh Rohlfing, “you know it’s we have a lot of work ahead of us you know, a lot of improvements.  I think anytime you can win a close set or close match with a youthful team, your in good shape.”

Coach Rolfhing is also proud of how his team stuck through adversity and stayed motivated as the team improves to 5-6 on the season and 1-0 in conference play; as well as continue their dominance over OIT by winning the last 11 matches against the Owls.

Next the Raiders will travel to Portland to face Warner Pacific and Cascade Collegiate Conference favorite Concordia of Oregon this weekend.

Video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27R3MV22phg&feature=plcp

Scoreboard
Southern Oregon (5-6) 30 25 26
Oregon Tech                  28 16 24
Kills- SOU- Haley Kasler 12; OIT-Kristen Walters 13. Assist- SOU-Caryn Westrick, 15; OIT- Kayleigh Whelchel 33. Digs- SOU-Renee Yomtob 17. OIT-Marie Baumann 18.