ON A ROLL: EOU coach takes her 100th career win in stride

EOU coach Kaki Morehead has won 100 games as a coach — and is looking for her next win Friday.

In six seasons at the helm of the Eastern Oregon University volleyball team, head coach Kaki Morehead has raised the bar in terms of expectations surrounding the program.

And those expectations have bred success.

Last weekend Morehead earned her 100th career victory as the Mountaineer head coach, defeating rival Southern Oregon 3-2.

Not that she was aware of the career mark.

“I didn’t even know,” Morehead said.

“I never thought about it. Success at Eastern in any sport is important. 

“But we’re so focused on year to year and trying to get our players to where they need to be that we don’t think about milestones.”

Morehead returned to the program last season after resigning in 2009 to move to Idaho with her husband Shawn, who runs the family ranch.

In her four seasons as coach prior to resigning Morehead compiled a record of 61-40. In the last two seasons she has racked up 39 wins, including a 22-6 campaign this season that included a victory over the College of Idaho, EOU’s first over the ‘Yotes since 1996.

This was just the second season Morehead has won more than 20 games. In 2008 the Mountaineers finished with a 20-10 mark.

 The Mountaineers finished second in the Cascade Collegiate Conference this season with a 14-4 record and play Southern Oregon in the CCC tournament hosted by C of I tonight.

The Raiders also finished 14-4 in the CCC and defeated Warner Pacific 3-0 Tuesday in the conference quarterfinals.

The Mountaineers split their regular season match-ups with the Raiders this season.

Morehead said that she likes where her team is at heading into the CCC tournament and feels like good things await.

“I think they’ve really started to peak,” she said of her team.

“They have shown a lot of confidence. We’re excited.

“We think we are playing two games this weekend and that’s the mindset we need.”

The Mountaineers have won 10 straight games, with their last loss coming Oct. 5 to Northwest Christian.

In order to qualify for the national tournament EOU will need to earn Morehead wins No. 101 and 102 for her career.

The good news is the Mountaineers have victories over each team still playing.