SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The Vanguard University Women's Volleyball team (8-6, 4-4) started a three-game series against San Diego Christian College (8-5, 4-2) on Saturday evening. The Lions came out a bit flat for game one as the Hawks earned a three-set sweep by scores of 25-19, 25-18, 25-17 to snap Vanguard's three-game win streak.
What Happened? SDCC jumped out to an early 9-3 lead, taking advantage of a handful of errors by the visitors, but the Lions got back into things with a 7-2 run of their own to cut their deficit back down to one. Continuing this battle of runs, the Hawks rattled off five straight points before the Pride rallied with a 4-0 run. The home team would push their lead to three, then four, and would hold course the rest of the way to take set one by a score of 25-19.
The second set featured three early ties and two lead changes as Mallorie Post recorded back-to-back block assists. SDCC started to create separation once again as they went on a 6-2 to open their lead to 13-7. Danielle Bellfi paced things offensively with a couple of kills, but the Lions could only manage to cut the deficit to four before a service ace by Alexis DeBina-Bautis would give the Hawks a 25-18 set-two victory.
Bailey Olbur and Callie Bickmore found the hardwood a couple of times to open up the third set and Samantha Arellano and Jordan Doiron would find a block to tie things up at nine. A 7-2 run by the Hawks would put the Pride in a tough spot once again as the duo of Breanna Brooks and Jessica Pinasco both hit double-digit kills in the third set. SDCC would finish the set with a .293 hitting percentage, their best of the match, to earn the sweep.
Why It's Important? The Lions' three-game win streak was snapped by the Hawks in what was the first of a three-game series against the conference foe. VU was unable to stop the GSAC Attacker of the Week as Brooks recorded 13 kills and only three errors for a .455 hitting percentage.
Top Performers: Bailey Olbur recorded five kills on 11 attempts for a .455 hitting percentage. Cambria Fernandez recorded a team-high 12 digs, while Madeline DeLucia dished out 16 assists for the Blue and Gold.
What's Next: A rematch at San Diego Christian on Tuesday, March 23rd at 6:00 p.m.
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