Redlands Women's Volleyball Sweeps Antelope Valley in Non-Conference Action

Photo credit: Maria Michel
Photo credit: Maria Michel

The University of Redlands women's volleyball team welcomed unfamiliar foe, University of Antelope Valley, to Currier Gym on Tuesday evening in non-conference action.  While pumping out a hitting percentage of .315, the Bulldogs cruised to a 25-13, 25-20, 25-13 victory over the Pioneers.

Redlands jumped out to an early 11-6 lead in the opening set, as the home team fired off four kills in the first nine points of the match.  Sophomore outside hitter Kaylee Burdick (Sun Valley, CA), freshman middle hitter Sofia Olsson (Cupertino, CA), freshman middle hitter Sammi Tafoya (Granite Bay, CA), and freshman outside hitter Christina Casey (Sherwood, OR) each contributed one put-away for the Bulldogs during this stretch. The Maroon and Gray continued to roll, as the Pioneers dealt with an error-riddled performance.  In addition, Redlands sprinkled quality kills and aces throughout the set en route to the lopsided victory.

While using a somewhat revised line-up in the second set, Redlands was pushed by the Pioneers, before breaking a 19-all tie for the win.  Among Antelope Valley's miscues, the Bulldogs also gained kills by Olsson and senior opposite Addison Fonseca (Santa Cruz, CA). 

Sticking with the same combination of players in the third stanza, the Maroon and Gray picked up right where it left off by uncorking a series of kills to take an early lead.  Fonseca, Burdick, Tafoya, and freshman opposite Megan Houston (Normandy Park, WA) elevated the Bulldogs' offense in the early goings. 

However, the Pioneers temporarily regained the momentum to tie things up at five apiece.  But the run was short-lived, as Burdick's tough serving initiated a 9-0 outburst for Redlands.  Casey led the offensive effort with three of the team's kills during this spurt. 

The Pioneers' lack of consistency provided the Bulldogs with quality scoring opportunities through the end of the set, which resulted in the winning sweep for the home team.  Redlands fired off an impressive hitting percentage of .419 during this final frame.

Casey led the Bulldog offense with a .421 effort that came off of eight kills and no errors.  Olsson added a .417 performance with six kills, while Tafoya and Houston each knocked down seven kills.  Senior setter Ellie McLeod (Redlands, CA) and sophomore setter Jackie Andrade (Seattle, WA) facilitated the attack with 17 and 13 assists, respectively. 

Redlands (13-12) faces Chapman University on Senior Night on Friday, October 28, at 7 p.m. in Currier Gym.