Orange, Calif. – The University of Redlands dropped their volleyball matchup at Chapman 3-0. Despite the final score, the Bulldogs were again competitive, losing the three sets by a combined 16 points with sets one and three by four points each.
In set one Redlands fell behind early 5-2. After a pair of Panther errors, sophomore Makayla Sorenson (Lakewood, Calif.) scored off a Shelby Dawson (FY, Fontana, Calif.) assist to close the gap to one-point, 6-5.
Chapman responded to the Bulldog run and took a six-point lead, 17-11. Then Redlands did something they have not been able to often do this season, they went on a run towards the latter half of a set that tied the match. This run was an eight-point run that saw the Bulldogs win seven of those eight points. Redlands took advantage of a few Chapman errors, got a service ace from senior Natalie Starlin (Las Vegas, Nev), and a pair of blocks, one from Sorenson and Paige Davidson (Sr., Spanaway, Wash.) and a second block from Sorenson again with junior Saudya Reagor (Banning, Calif.) assisting.
Chapman was able to stem the tide and regained control winning the next three points and leading 21-18. But again, Redlands was able to respond when they needed to, matching Chapman's 3-0 run with their own. Unfortunately, those were the final three points the Bulldogs got in the first set and fell just short, 25-21.
The second set was a tougher ask for the Bulldogs, after leading 1-0 and 2-1 after a Starlin kill, Chapman took quick control of the set taking a 17-8 lead. The Bulldogs did mount a mini rally after Starlin had another kill and assisted with sophomore Kiki Stradford (Lake Forest, Calif.) on a block that closed the gap to seven.
When it finally looked like Chapman was ready to finish off the second set, Redlands went on a 5-0 run that made it 22-16. Starlin continued her strong match with a kill, Davidson had a pair of kills and assisted on a block with Sorenson.
The comeback attempts were not enough, and the Bulldogs dropped set two, 25-17.
In the third set Redlands showed their fight from the previous set, winning four of the first five points thanks to Starlin who had a service ace and a pair of kills. Chapman again was tough to get by, tying the set at 7, 8, 9 and eventually taking a 13-9 lead. Despite the run conceded by the Bulldogs, they were able to take back some momentum with a 3-0 run that brought them within three points.
Redlands put themselves into a tough spot when they fell behind 21-12 but put a scare into Chapman with a 9-3 run that got them to a 24-21 scoreline. The Bulldogs saved five match points in their run, but Chapman's lead ended up being too big and the Bulldogs fell in a third straight set, 25-21.
Starlin was definitely team most valuable player with 10 kills, six digs, four service aces, one assist, and one assisted block. Dawson had a solid match with 12 assists and four digs. Sophomore Bella Thornbury (Grass Valley, Calif.) had a quiet team-high 13 assists. Other notable performances came from first-year Laural Pittman (Granada Hills, Calif.) who had a team-high 11 digs, Sorenson had four assisted blocks, and Davidson and Reagor both had three assisted blocks as well.
The Bulldogs have a quick turnaround with a homecoming match at Currier Gym, tomorrow, Saturday October 23 at 3:00 p.m. against Pomona-Pitzer.