The University of Redlands volleyball team opened the 2015 season on Friday by competing in two of its four matches at the UCSC Slugfest. Following a hard-fought loss in four sets to William Jessup University, the Bulldogs returned to the court to earn Head Coach Lisa Lindberg's first career-win as a Bulldog with a resounding 25-8, 25-11, 25-6 decision against Mills College.
During its second match of the day, Redlands blasted the opponents with an efficient and effective offense that included just one error. Overall, the squad put together a clip of .472, with senior middle blocker Marisa Gile (Yucaipa, CA) and sophomore Kailee McCoy (Chandler, AZ) each converting five kills. In addition, senior right-side hitter Kimberly Nevarez (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) and freshman outside hitter Emma Böttger (Orange, CA) put away four kills apiece.
Senior setter Lauren Ellingwood (Kirkland, WA) and freshman setter Devin Callahan (Seattle, WA) orchestrated the offense with 11 and nine assists, respectively. Sophomore defensive specialist Abby Hickman (Phoenix, AZ) led the match with seven digs.
Earlier in the day, Redlands battled with William Jessup University but came up short in four sets, 25-21, 19-25, 19-25, 20-25. Highlighting that match, senior middle blocker Ashton Martin (Redlands, CA) paced the offense with nine kills, while sophomore middle blocker Kiersten Langerud (Williamsburg, VA) knocked six. Junior setter Ellie McLeod (Redlands, CA) served as the main facilitator with 26 assists, to go along with a team-high 14 digs.
Redlands finishes off the Slugfest on Saturday, beginning with Lewis & Clark College (OR) at 9 a.m. and followed by UC Santa Cruz at 2 p.m.