The University of Redlands volleyball team faced off against the La Sierra University Golden Eagles in a non-conference showdown in Currier Gym on Wednesday night. The Bulldogs struggled to find their offensive rhythm, as the visitors kept pushing them out of system, leading to a straight-set loss, 15-25, 22-25, 17-25.
La Sierra came out firing in the first set to take an early lead off of an effective offense. Redlands pulled within one at 6-7 after junior defensive specialist Alex Michel (Loma Linda, CA) uncorked three-straight aces from the backline. She finished the night with four.
However, the Golden Eagles put together too many runs for the Maroon and Gray to overcome the deficit, resulting in the 25-15 decision.
During the second set, the score remained tight with multiple exchanges of points. Trailing 5-8, the Bulldogs forced a La Sierra timeout after senior middle blocker Ashton Martin (Redlands, CA) found hardwood on back-to-back rallies.
Redlands kept things close through 21-23, but an ill-timed Bulldog error and a kill by La Sierra's Samantha Marquez gave her team set point. The Maroon and Gray held off one Eagle opportunity, but the visiting squad stepped up to seal the deal on one of La Sierra's 16 kills for the set.
The third set saw Redlands lead for the first time all match, earning a 4-1 advantage, as sophomore middle blocker Kiersten Langerud (Williamsburg, VA) and freshman outside hitter Kaylee Burdick (Sun Valley, CA) took care of business at the net.
The Bulldogs led through 11-7, thanks in part to the effective offense of Martin and Langerud, as facilitated by junior setter Ellie McLeod (Redlands, CA).
However, La Sierra responded with a 13-2 run to regain the lead and provide the difference.
Martin led the Bulldog offense with a .500 showing off of five kills. Langerud, Burdick, and freshman outside hitter Emma Böttger (Orange, CA) each chipped in four kills.
McLeod and senior setter Lauren Ellingwood (Kirkland, WA) shared the ball-distribution duties with eight and nine assists, respectively.
Sophomore libero Abby Hickman (Phoenix, AZ) supplied 13 digs for the Maroon and Gray.
Redlands (5-14) welcomes non-conference foe UC Santa Cruz to Currier Gym on Saturday, October 17, for a 2 p.m. match.
