The University of Redlands volleyball team traveled to the University of La Verne on Saturday night for a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) match against the 18th-ranked Leopards. The Bulldogs struggled to find their offensive rhythm and came up short of the upset by scores of 16-25, 23-25, 16-25.
Redlands' best showing came in the second set, as the team put together a .281 hitting percentage while holding the home squad to a .054 showing. With score knotted at 18 apiece, the Leopards stepped up by earning three of the next four points with an effective attack and a solid block.
The teams traded points until La Verne served for the set, but the Bulldogs rallied to save three opportunities, thanks in part to sophomore middle blocker Kiersten Langerud (Williamsburg, VA) and sophomore outside hitter Kailee McCoy (Chandler, AZ), who find hardwood on back-to-back rallies.
Nonetheless, the Leopards answered with a quality kill to seal the second-set victory.
Overall, McCoy led the Bulldogs with six kills, while four players contributed four kills apiece. Senior setter Lauren Ellingwood (Kirkland, WA) distributed 21 assists for the Maroon and Gray.
Redlands (6-17, 2-11 SCIAC) returns home on Tuesday, October 27, for a 7:30 p.m. showdown with the Whittier College Poets in Currier Gym.