LA VERNE, Calif. – Eight different players recorded a kill Saturday night for the University of Redlands Volleyball team, but the balanced attack wasn't enough as the Bulldogs fell 25-17, 25-15, 25-21 to the University of La Verne.
Makayla Sorenson (Lakewood, CA) and Angelina Hughes (Wildomar, CA) led the offense each recording five kills on the night and hitting .222 and .333, respectively. Bella Thornbury (Grass Valley, CA) finished with 14 assists, Natalie Starlin (Las Vegas, NV) added three kills with 13 digs, and Paige Davidson (Spanaway, WA) provided a three kill, nine dig effort.
Redlands fell behind early 14-3 in the opening set, but scored seven of the next nine points, capitalizing on six ULV miscues. This moved the score to 16-10, but an ensuing 6-1 run by the Leopards would extend the lead back to double digits. The Maroon and Grey would wrap up the set scoring six of the final nine points getting a couple kills from Kiki Stradford (Lake Forest, CA) and Sorenson, but it wouldn't be enough to mount a comeback as ULV would go in front 25-17.
UR stayed closed early in the second set getting within four at 17-13. During the run they would get kills from Sorenson, Saudya Reagor (Banning, CA), Stradford, Shelby Dawson (Fontana, CA), and Starlin. But over the final 10 points, ULV would win eight of them as they would extend their advantage to 2-0.
The Bulldogs put together their best performance in the 3rd set finding themselves leading 11-9, following a service ace from Starlin and a trio of kills from Thornbury, Stradford, and Hughes. The Leos then put together a small 4-0 run that gave them a 13-11 lead, but that was short-lived as five of the next six points would go to UR with Hughes connecting for an ace and two kills followed by a Hannah Miller (Round Rock, TX) service ace.
Leading 18-16, the Bulldogs looked to extend the match as they got a pair of kills from Davidson down the stretch, but it wouldn't be enough as La Verne would rattle off a 5-1 run to close out the frame, giving them the sweep.
Redlands (2-11, 0-7 SCIAC) returns home next week on Tuesday, October 12 when they host Caltech beginning at 7:00pm.