COSTA MESA, Calif. – Vanguard University (5-5) began the day playing an exhibition against former rival Biola University (0-0) before turning their attentions to current GSAC opponent Life Pacific University (9-4). After losing 3-1 in the non-counting contest the Lions could not hold on to the 2-1 lead and fell 25-21,22-25,25-15,21-25,9-15.
What Happened? During the exhibition, the Lions lost in the first set by a 25-16 score as they had more errors than kills. They flipped the script in the second frame winning 25-20 behind a match high .258 attacking percentage. During the third set the score was the same, just the winners and losers flipped. Biola took control of the fourth set and the match, winning it 25-12.
Moving their attentions to the real contest of the day, Vanguard was victorious 25-21 in the opponent set as they forced the Warriors into twice as many hitting errors as VU recorded. The second period was much closer as a sea saw battle during the whole duration ultimately became a 25-22 set win for the Warriors. The Blue and Gold jumped out to a quick 12-4 lead and ended up capturing the set by a score of 25-15. Life Pacific did not back down as they took an 11-5 edge which forced the Pride to call a timeout. LPU held on to win 25-21 and force the decisive fifth set. The Warriors jumped out quick to a 13-7 lead, a margin that the Blue and Gold just could not dig themselves out of.
Why It's Important? This is the second time this season that the Pride and LPU has gone five sets, all of which came in non-conference tilts. Vanguard is now 7-1 all-time against the Warriors and they fall to .500 on the young season, not being able to withstand the loss of their starting setter.
Top Performers: In the exhibition, Cambria Fernandez (JR/Northridge, CA) and Tayler Templeman (JR/Puyallup, WA) combined for 17 kills and only four attack error. Kynzey Mitzel (JR/Tigard, OR) posted 15 digs and Madeline DeLucia (FR/Happy Valley, OR) recorded 21 assists both of which were match highs. Hailey Peterson and Fernandez each tallied 13 kills against LPU while Templeman was just behind with 12. Mitzel had 23 digs while Fernandez added 18. Chandler Nelson (SO/Colorado Springs, CO), who was thrust into setting action, totaled 23 assists and 15 digs.
What They Said: Head Coach JP Dorn – "Life Pacific did a great job of fighting deep into rallies and getting our team out of system offensively. They adapted throughout the match, tipping over our blockers, and our team did not mix things up. We are young and this will be a good learning experience for our team to build on moving forward."
What's Next: Thursday, March 11th against Hope International at 7:00 p.m.
#ClawsUp
