EOU’s Sade Williams and Keira Vaughn named to NAIA All-Tournament team
By Garrett Christensen on Monday, December 11th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – (Release from Eastern Oregon University) The All-Tournament Team was announced following the conclusion of the 2023 NAIA National Volleyball Championship tournament on Tuesday evening. Eastern Oregon, finishing with their second consecutive appearance in the semifinals, had two players named to the team in senior outside hitter Sade Williams and sophomore outside hitter Keira Vaughn.
“I am incredibly proud of both of them and how well they played when it mattered most,” Head Coach Kaki McLean Morehead said.
The outstanding duo put up big numbers while leading the Mounties on another deep postseason run. Williams was a force to be reckoned all over the court highlighted by her 53 kills in tournament play (3.88 kills per set). Defensively she added 13 blocks and 56 digs over four tournament matches for the Mounties.
“Sade is the type of player that everyone loves to watch. She gets big kills, powerful blocks and momentum changing digs,” McLean Morehead said. “There isn’t a player like her, and she will be incredibly missed.”
Vaughn, alongside Williams, was a catalyst for the Mountaineer attack. Through four matches the sophomore led Eastern in kills with 62 averaging 3.88 per set and was second on the team in hitting percentage hitting at a .257 clip. Defensively she added 5 blocks. Her massive, 27-kill performance in the quarterfinals helped propel EOU over Columbia College and into the fab four.
“Keira’s growth this past spring and season has been amazing,” McLean Morehead added. “She has improved dramatically and the hard work that she has put in really showed at the national tournament.”
With the 2023 season over the Mountaineers will now await announcements for national-level awards including All-American teams that are expected to be released later this week.
