THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.—In the first conference matchup of the season, the Cal Lutheran women's volleyball team came up just short as they dropped their conference opener in five sets to the University of La Verne. The Regals, who were up two sets to none, dropped three consecutive sets to the visiting Leopards who took the victory (25-18, 25-17, 23-25, 18-25, 10-15).
The first set began with a back and forth matchup with the Regals taking the first three points of the game coming off two kills by Maci Haddad. After being down early, the Leopards were able to bounce back and tie the game at 18-18. After hitting a huge kill down the center of the court, Amanda Roberts went on to serve the Regals to seven straight points to take the first set 25-18.
The second set proved more of the same for the Regals as they took a commanding lead, up 18-10, after a great dig and set from Roberts to Amy McKee who got the kill. The Regals went on to win the set 25-17 thanks to a powerful kill from Paris Dosch who finished the match with 13 kills.
The third set was highlighted by an intense rally for the lead which ended after a dig by Mckee and a save by Steph Rolfson got the ball to Haddad for the kill. Rolfson went on to finish with 46 assists and three kills. The Regals could not hold onto the lead however, as they dropped the set later on, 23-25.
The Leopards were able to carry on the momentum and take the fourth set from the Regals 18-25.
Going into the fifth and final set, the Regals got off to an early 2-0 lead, but could not hold it as the Leopards quickly bounced back. The Regals continued to battle for the lead with a kill down the left corner from Dosch to tie it at 5-5. The Leopards proceeded to go on a six to one scoring run pushing their lead to 6-11. The Regals fought back thanks to a couple of kills from Haddad, but their late push was not enough as La Verne went on to win the final set 10-15 and the match 2-3.
The Regals were led offensively by Roberts and Dosch who both finished with 13 kills each. Haddad finished with 12 kills and one dig. Dosch and McKee were great defensively around the net and both recorded four block assists.
Sarah Hein also played a big role defensively and recorded a career-high with 27 digs. Carly Rose Howard was next with 21 digs. Rolfson recorded a double-double as she had 13 digs to go along with her 46 assists.
The Regals (6-3, 0-1 SCIAC) are back in action this Friday and Saturday at the East-West Challenge in Claremont, Calif.
Box Score: ULV 3, CLU 2
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Release by Scott Roberts, Sports Information Assistant; Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director
