While earning only two fewer points than Pomona-Pitzer Colleges in Tuesday's Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) match, the University of Redlands volleyball team came up short in three sets by scores of 24-26, 16-25, 16-25. A heartbreaking loss in the first set established the tone for the subsequent stanzas, leading to the sweeping decision.
The Bulldogs came out on fire, racking up three-straight points on three-consecutive kills from a trio of players. Freshman outside hitter Kaylee Burdick (Sun Valley, CA) added to the early onslaught by finding hardwood on a pair of kills to make it 8-3 for the Maroon and Gray.
Redlands continued to keep the Sagehens at bay, thanks in part to the hot hands of sophomore middle blocker Kiersten Langerud (Williamsburg, VA) and senior right-side hitter Marisa Gile (Yucaipa, CA), who stepped up with well-timed kills. In addition, the Bulldogs took a 14-4 advantage after a block by Langerud and junior setter Ellie McLeod (Redlands, CA).
However, a run of Bulldog errors and a streak of Pomona-Pitzer points allowed the home team to close the gap and make it a three-point game.
Nonetheless, sophomore outside hitter Kailee McCoy (Chandler, AZ) knocked down a kill to put Redlands ahead by a score of 23-19.
But, a Sagehen timeout was just enough to change the momentum and allow Pomona-Pitzer to close out the comeback win on a 7-1 run.
From here, the Sagehens stayed in the driver's seat by taking an early lead in the each of the subsequent sets.
Langerud and Gile teamed up to lead the Bulldog offense with nine kills apiece, as Langerud fired them off at a clip of .333. McLeod dished out 29 assists, while sophomore libero Abby Hickman (Phoenix, AZ) and sophomore defensive specialist Madison Brazeel (Yuma, AZ) patrolled the back row with 15 and 10 digs, respectively.
As a team, Redlands registered six total blocks, with senior middle blocker Ashton Martin (Redlands, CA) offering four block assists, to go along with five kills.
Redlands (5-16, 1-10 SCIAC) strives to get back on track on Friday, October 23, when it travels to Pasadena to battle it out with the Caltech Beavers at 7:30 p.m.