ORANGE, Calif. – The University of Redlands Volleyball team opened up their 2021 campaign Friday evening on the road as they took on NAIA Vanguard University.  Despite proving a tough test for the Lions, the Bulldogs couldn't extend the match falling in straights 25-23, 26-24, 25-14.

"The team fought hard against a tough opponent," explained Head Coach Lisa Lindberg. "They played with passion and grit, while adapting to a strong defense across the net.  It was a great first outing and we know the Dawgs will be back on the court against St. Katherine's on Wednesday smarter and stronger because of this performance."

Redlands got off to a hot start jumping all over the Lions 11-5, which included an 8-1 run highlighted by a couple kills from Saudya Reagor (Banning, CA) and Natalie Starlin (Las Vegas, NV) and a service ace by Shelby Dawson (Fontana, CA).

But that lead would soon disappear as VU would put together their own 8-1 run that put them back in front 12-11.  Soon after the first set would become a back-and-forth battle.  A late surge by the Lions in the frame would give them three set points at 24-21, but a kill from Paige Davidson (Spanaway, WA) and a bad set by VU would bring the Bulldogs within one.  But UR couldn't keep the momentum as a service error would give Vanguard the early advantage.

UR won four of the first five points in the second set to lead early but again would see it slip away as VU would rally with five of the next six to go on top 6-5.  A huge service run by Starlin would give the momentum back to the Bulldogs as they would continue to dictate moving the score to 11-8.  They would keep it going later in the set following three service aces from Bella Thornbury (Grass Valley, CA) and a pair of kills from Reagor, which moved the score to 18-13.  The Lions though were able to bounce back with four in a row to cut the deficit to one and then used six unanswered to take a 24-21 lead.  This advantage proved tough to hold though as a kill from Katie Allbery (Spokane, WA) and two miscues would deadlock the set at 24-24.  But the comeback would end there as the Lions would put together a kill and capitalize on an error that would give them a 2-0 lead.    

With their backs against the wall the Bulldogs attempted one final push in the third set but couldn't overcome an early 7-1 run by VU as they would go on to claim the sweep 25-14.

Reagor led the offense with seven kills and was joined by Allbery who added five.  Thornbury ran point and added 12 assists and Laural Pittman (Granada Hills, CA) totaled eight digs. 

Redlands (0-1) remains on the road next week on Wednesday, September 8 when they travel to take on St. Katherine University beginning at 5:30pm.