WHITTIER, Calif. - The University of Redlands Volleyball team provided some pushback against the Whittier College Poets Tuesday night, but couldn't complete the comeback as they fell 25-16, 25-15, 24-26, 25-18.
The U of R has now taken two sets within Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) play with their last one coming on September 28 against Occidental College.
The Bulldogs were carried by a hot start from senior Natalie Starlin (Las Vegas, NV) who scored three of the first six points for Redlands. First-year setter Shelby Dawson (Fontana, CA) and sophomore Bella Thornbury (Grass Valley, CA) combined for five of the assists during the run.
Sophomore middle blocker Kiki Stradford (Lake Forest, CA) gave UR an early 8-7 lead with a pair of kills inside. But that advantage was quickly lost as Whittier would put together a 7-1 run that put them on top 15-9. The Maroon and Grey tried to chip away at the lead getting within six at 22-16 after kills from Saudya Reagor (Banning, CA), Paige Davidson (Spanaway, WA), and Dawson, but again it would be WC pulling out the early set capitalizing on two UR attacking errors.
It was a competitive start to the second set with five ties and six lead changes occurring. Reagor and Stradford each had two kills and combined for a block in the first eight points for the Bulldogs and Dawson continued her strong match with four assists in that span. Trailing 17-10, UR was forced to play catch-up and they put together a little momentum with a trio of kills from Starlin and Stradford to cut the deficit to eight, but it wasn't enough as Whittier would again use two UR attacking errors to go on top 2-0.
Redlands got off to a strong start in the third set putting together a 7-2 run, which included four kills from Starlin, Davidson, and Stradford. Sophomore Hannah Miller (Round Rock, TX) also provided a spark with two service aces that put U of R in front 7-5. The Poets were able to respond though winning six of the next eight points to take the lead at 12-10. This advantage then extended to 16-12, but couldn't hold it as the Bulldogs came roaring back finishing the set off on a 14-8 run. During this span Reagor, Starlin and Stradford were big up front each totaling two kills apiece as UR extended the match winning 26-24.
The start of the fourth set was competitive, again with the Bulldogs leading, 7-5 and getting help from Starlin, Stradford, and Reagor. But much like the way the third set went, Redlands conceded a run that gave the lead back to Whittier, as they fell behind 17-11. The Bulldogs didn't go away quietly though winning five of the next six points led by Starlin who added a kill and service ace that got UR within two at 18-16. But the momentum from the previous set would fizzle, as WC would secure the win winning seven of the final nine points.
Starlin finished with a double-double with game and season-highs of 24 digs and 17 kills. Dawson had a team-high 24 assists, her most since September. Miller kept plays alive with 15 digs and Stradford had a season-high 11 kills.
Redlands returns home this Friday, October 29 at 7:00 p.m. when they take on the University of La Verne during Senior Night.