CLAREMONT, Calif. – The University of Redlands Volleyball team played big up front combining for five blocks Tuesday night against Pomona-Pitzer, but couldn't build off of that as they fell 25-17, 25-17, 25-16.
The Maroon and Grey was led by senior outside hitter Natalie Starlin (Las Vegas, NV) who posted eight kills and nine digs, while hitting .217. Paige Davidson (Spanaway, WA) and Saudya Reagor (Banning, CA) both added six kills and Laural Pittman (Granada Hills, CA) collected 18 digs in the backrow.
Up front Kiki Stradford (Lake Forest, CA) led the defense totaling three blocks (1 Solo/2 Assisted) and Bella Thornbury (Grass Valley, CA) added 11 assists and nine digs.
Trailing 13-7 in the first set the Bulldogs put together three of the next four points with kills from Stradford and Reagor that moved the score to 14-10. PP was able to go on a 5-1 run after that to increase their advantage. Then despite UR stringing together three straight sparked by a kill from Davidson and a service ace from Makayla Sorenson (Lakewood, CA) to get within seven it wasn't enough to mount a comeback as the Sagehens took the opening frame.
Redlands took an early 7-6 lead in the second set behind kills from Reagor and Starlin coupled with service aces from Davidson and Maddy Schonauer (Bakersfield, CA). After giving up that lead UR was able to battle back keeping it a one point deficit or tied with Davidson, Stradford, Thornbury, Reagor, and Starlin all combining for kills. But again PP was able to rally late putting together a 9-2 run to close out the set giving them a 2-0 advantage.
In the third, PP used an early 17-4 run to open things up. But the Bulldogs didn't go away without a fight adding five of the next six points, capitalizing on three Sagehen miscues to get within single digits. Later UR would get service aces by Davidson and Starlin, a kill from Reagor and four Sagehen errors to get within eight, but again the run was too late as PP would hold on for the sweep.
Redlands (2-10, 0-6 SCIAC) returns to action this Friday, October 8 when they host Whittier College beginning at 7:00pm.