The University of Redlands volleyball team jumped into tournament action with four matches at the Cal Lutheran University Posada Royale Invitational on Friday and Saturday. While facing tough opponents from NCAA Division III, the Bulldogs gained solid experience at this early juncture in the season but came away winless on the weekend.
Redlands opened the tournament with a three-set loss to No. 14 Southwestern University (TX), 16-25, 11-25, 18-25. Sophomore libero Brittney Overgaag (Bermuda Dunes, CA) led the defense with 14 digs while sophomore outside hitter Morgan Buckner (San Rafael, CA) mustered a team-leading seven kills.
The Bulldogs faced off against in-region foe UC Santa Cruz in their second game on Friday, rallying to capture one out of four sets, 15-25, 16-25, 25-19, 12-25. Sophomore setter Alisha Cornick (Hollister, CA) distributed 22 assists and provided 12 digs for the Maroon and Gray.
On Saturday, Redlands returned to the Soiland Center in Thousand Oaks, dropping a three-set decision to Lewis & Clark College (OR) by scores of 16-25, 18-25, 16-25. Sophomore middle blocker Kalli Leigh (Rifle, CO) tallied an impressive hitting percentage of .462 while senior right side Alex Martin (Highlands Ranch, CO) recorded a .600 showing.
Finally, the team wrapped up the four-match outing with its strongest performance against Willamette University (OR). The Bulldogs fell in four sets, 25-19, 19-25, 21-25, 22-25, but put forth their best effort of the tournament. Buckner erupted for 13 kills while Cornick dished out 24 assists. Junior setter Lauren Walsh (La Verne, CA) also contributed to the ball-distribution success of the team with 15 assists. Overgaag registered her fourth consecutive showing of 10 or more digs with 12 coming against Willamette.
Redlands (0-5) looks to regroup for Tuesday's non-conference bout at Chapman University, which begins at 7 p.m. Fans may follow all of the action via Live Stats and live video-streaming, which can be accessed through the Bulldogs' volleyball schedule page at www.goredlands.com.