Redlands Volleyball Bounces Back with Five-Set Victory over La Sierra

Redlands Volleyball Bounces Back with Five-Set Victory over La Sierra

The University of Redlands volleyball team halted its recent skid with a stellar come-from-behind 3-2 victory over La Sierra University on Thursday in Riverside. The Bulldogs avenged their earlier-season loss to the Golden Eagles with this exciting road-victory, winning by scores of 25-22, 12-25, 13-25, 25-15, 15-11.

The Bulldogs fired off a team-high 12 kills in the opening set en route to the 25-22 decision.  After struggling through the subsequent two stanzas, Redlands faced an uphill battle to recover in the fourth set.  But the Maroon and Gray's offense came alive to propel the squad to triumph, notching a match-best .290 hitting percentage off of 10 kills and only one error.  Finally, the Bulldogs took advantage of a cold streak in the La Sierra attack during the deciding set and pulled out the comeback victory.

Junior outside hitter Morgan Buckner (San Rafael, CA) led the U of R offense with 14 kills, which came at a .244 clip.  She also provided 10 digs and two service aces.

Freshman middle blocker Ashton Martin (Redlands, CA) recorded the only other double-digit kill performance with 10, while sophomore middle blocker Maddi Clark (Escondido, CA) paced the team with her .385 hitting percentage.  Juniors Alisha Cornick (Hollister, CA) and Jen Wacker (Longmont, CO) shared ball-distributing duties, recording 20 and 17 assists, respectively.  Junior libero Brittney Overgaag (Palm Desert, CA) patrolled the back row with her defensive prowess and finished with a match-high 29 digs.

La Sierra (14-7) gained a double-double from Shelby Madigan with 16 kills and 15 digs.  In addition, Lina Semaia knocked down 12 kills, while Colleen Stafford dished out 26 assists.

Redlands (4-5, 0-3 SCIAC) returns home to the friendly confines of Currier Gym on Friday for an important Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) match against the Leopards of the University of La Verne at 7:30 p.m.