Wednesday, September 17
Pullman, Wash.
7:00 PM
University of Washington
3
at
1
Washington State
Huskies Overpower Cougars In Pullman
September 17, 2025 | Volleyball
PULLMAN, Wash. – Kierstyn Barton was a Cougar killer for the second year in a row, as her 21 kills led the Huskies to the 3-1 victory in the volleyball version of the Apple Cup, just a few days before the football teams clash in Pullman. Washington (5-4) spoiled the home opener for Washington State (5-4) with a 23-25, 25-22, 26-24, 25-19 victory in Bohler Gym with 1,558 in attendance.
It is the first win for the Huskies in Pullman since the 2017 season, snapping a five-match skid in Bohler. Barton, who put down 22 kills last year in UW's 3-1 win over WSU in Seattle, had 21 kills in today's 3-1 win. The two other Husky pin hitters were hardly slouches themselves, as Alexa Markley had 14 kills, hitting .323, and Simona Mateska had 13 kills and hit .333.
After giving up a late lead to lose a close first set, the Huskies turned things around with a key set two win, and then the crucial point of the match was the end of set three. Washington had four set points at 24-20 but WSU saved all of them and tied it up. But UW stabilized with a Katy Wessels kill and then on their fifth chance, Mateska put one away for the 26-24 win. Set four the Husky block continued to wear down WSU and the Huskies had finally created some space and closed things out.
Washington had 13 blocks compared to 5 for the Cougars. The Huskies hit .267 as a team and held WSU to .196. Washington had a 7-3 edge in aces, while WSU led in digs, 56 to 51.
Alexis Haury was one off her career-high with 49 assists, but got in on a career-high five blocks. Wessels had seven blocks and Julia Hunt had six, plus five kills. Zoria Heard had a season-high 18 digs and served two aces.
Up Next: The Dawgs face their second ranked opponent, and first top-10 team of the year, to finish nonconference play, going to Lexington to take on No. 6 Kentucky. That match will be streamed on SEC Network Plus at 10 a.m. Pacific time on Saturday.
It is the first win for the Huskies in Pullman since the 2017 season, snapping a five-match skid in Bohler. Barton, who put down 22 kills last year in UW's 3-1 win over WSU in Seattle, had 21 kills in today's 3-1 win. The two other Husky pin hitters were hardly slouches themselves, as Alexa Markley had 14 kills, hitting .323, and Simona Mateska had 13 kills and hit .333.
After giving up a late lead to lose a close first set, the Huskies turned things around with a key set two win, and then the crucial point of the match was the end of set three. Washington had four set points at 24-20 but WSU saved all of them and tied it up. But UW stabilized with a Katy Wessels kill and then on their fifth chance, Mateska put one away for the 26-24 win. Set four the Husky block continued to wear down WSU and the Huskies had finally created some space and closed things out.
Washington had 13 blocks compared to 5 for the Cougars. The Huskies hit .267 as a team and held WSU to .196. Washington had a 7-3 edge in aces, while WSU led in digs, 56 to 51.
Alexis Haury was one off her career-high with 49 assists, but got in on a career-high five blocks. Wessels had seven blocks and Julia Hunt had six, plus five kills. Zoria Heard had a season-high 18 digs and served two aces.
HUSKIES DOWN THE COUGARS!!
— Washington Volleyball (@UWVolleyball) September 18, 2025
We take the first bite of the ?? and are ready to tag in @UW_Football ??????#PointHuskies pic.twitter.com/j02UE33MwG
Up Next: The Dawgs face their second ranked opponent, and first top-10 team of the year, to finish nonconference play, going to Lexington to take on No. 6 Kentucky. That match will be streamed on SEC Network Plus at 10 a.m. Pacific time on Saturday.
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