While racking up 13 blocks on the night, the University of Redlands volleyball team pushed the Whittier College Poets to five sets in Tuesday's Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) match in Currier Gym.  With their backs against the wall in the fourth set, the Bulldogs fired off a 9-0 run to propel them to victory and force the deciding frame.  Amidst ridiculous rallies that included huge blocks, diving digs, and persistent attacks, the Maroon and Gray came up just short by scores of 22-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-20, 11-15 in front of an enthusiastic crowd of Bulldog faithful.

With the Bulldogs trailing 12-17 in the fourth stanza, junior setter Ellie McLeod (Redlands, CA) found sophomore middle blocker Kiersten Langerud (Williamsburg, VA) for one of her 14 kills on the night.  McLeod then proceeded to serve the next eight points for the Maroon and Gray's 21-17 advantage.  During this run, senior outside hitter/middle blocker Ashton Martin (Redlands, CA) and Langerud teamed up for a pair of well-timed blocks, while the duo also joined freshman outside hitter Kaylee Burdick (Sun Valley, CA) for a proficient attack at the net. 

After Whittier answered with one kill, the Bulldogs quickly responded with another Langerud kill to make it 22-18.

Martin uncorked a kill before teaming up with Burdick for another big-time block for set point.  Sophomore outside hitter Kailee McCoy (Chandler, AZ) sealed the deal for Redlands with a perfectly placed ace, forcing a fifth and deciding set.

Unfortunately for Redlands, the Poets broke a six-all tie in the final frame by effectively finding the floor on a few directed tips to the corner and held off any chance of a Bulldog comeback.

Thanks to its stellar defense, Redlands held the current SCIAC Athlete of the Week, Rebecca Slattery, to a .082 hitting percentage on the night.  At the net, Martin accounted for seven block assists and one block solo, with Langerud and senior middle blocker/right-side hitter Marisa Gile (Yucaipa, CA) each tallying five block assists. McLeod contributed to the effort with her 17 digs, while sophomore Abby Hickman (Phoenix, AZ) and Burdick supplied 16 digs each. 

McLeod also facilitated the offense with 35 assists, connecting with Langerud for a .412 hitting percentage without a single error.  Martin tallied 13 kills, with Burdick chipping in 12.

The Bulldogs (6-18, 2-12 SCIAC) head to Thousand Oaks on Friday, October 30, to face the ninth-ranked Regals of Cal Lutheran University at 7:30 p.m.