Huskies Overpower Cougars In Pullman

Wednesday, September 17

Pullman, Wash.

7:00 PM

University of Washington

5-4,0-0Big Ten

Washington State

5-4,0-0WCC

Washington

Washington St.

September 17, 2025 | Volleyball

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By: UW Athletic Communications

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.

HUSKIES DOWN THE COUGARS!!

We take the first bite of the ?? and are ready to tag in @UW_Football ??????#PointHuskies pic.twitter.com/j02UE33MwG
— Washington Volleyball (@UWVolleyball) September 18, 2025

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.