The University of Redlands women's water polo team jumped back in the win column with a dominating 20-5 result against the visiting Beavers of Caltech in Wednesday's Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) match. The Bulldogs rolled to a 7-0 lead through the first period and never looked back in an impressive outing at the Thompson Aquatic Center.
The Maroon and Gray earned the first goal of the game at the 6:47-mark when senior defender Carmen Gardner (South San Francisco, CA) fired one past the Beaver goalkeeper. Senior attacker Katelyn Jenkins (Bellevue, WA) scored back-to-back netters over the next two minutes, with first-year attacker Holly Kvanvig (Beaverton, OR) and senior center Kolby Kahahawai (Kailua, HI) each delivering an assist. Kvanvig went on to notch a goal and another assist in Redlands' subsequent scores, as sophomore center Alina Waldo (Portland, OR) also found the back of the net for the home team's 6-0 lead. First-year attacker Ally Feeley's (Menlo Park, CA) first of three goals on the night made it 7-0 with one minute remaining in the opening frame.
The Bulldogs stretched their advantage to 9-0 late in the second frame, when first-year attacker Nicolette Ramirez (Whittier, CA) and sophomore attacker Katelynn Holloman (Wildomar, CA) each registered a goal.
Although Caltech scored three times in the final two-and-a-half minutes of the period, Redlands responded with a late three-goal spurt as well. Sophomore attacker Kayla Takakura (Wailuku, HI) dished out the assists for sophomore attacker Kelly Klish (Glenview, IL) and senior attacker Wendy McAleer (Simi Valley, CA) for the Maroon and Gray. In addition, Klish let go of a buzzer-beater that made its way into the back of the net for Redlands' 12-3 halftime lead.
Redlands continued to effectively run its plays and amassed 20 goals in the impressive win. Among the many highlights, sophomore defender Kalli Vellis (Burlingame, CA) notched her first goal of the season on a long-distance blast late in the game.
Feely finished with a hat trick, two assists, and two steals, while McAleer, Jenkins, and Klish each contributed three goals as well. Takakura registered four assists.
Senior goalkeeper Kelly Grosswendt (Newbury Park, CA) tallied 15 saves and a steal in 32 minutes of action.
Redlands (11-13, 4-4 SCIAC) hits the road for a conference match against the University of La Verne on Saturday, March 30, at 11 a.m.
