Costa Mesa -- Vanguard women's volleyball continued their homestand to open the season by facing the University of Saint Katherine Wednesday night.  The Lions had to fight hard, but they eventually emerged with a 3-1 victory, with scores of 26-24, 25-13, 19-25, and 25-21.  VU begins the season 2-0.

What Happened? A wild crowd greeted the Lions Wednesday night but the Firebirds came out swinging early to swipe some of that energy.  The visitors took a 10-6 lead but Kynzey Mitzel (SR/Tigard, OR) helped to lead the team back, with the Lions tying the game on a USK error.  The Lions took the lead 24-22 but let the Firebirds tie the game up at 25-all.  Responding to the danger, a kill from Cambria Fernandez (SR/Northridge, CA) and an ace from Madeline DeLucia (SO/Happy Valley, OR) secured set one for the Blue and Gold 26-24.

Set two was again even but the turning point came on a run of serves by Rachel Lim (FR/La Palma, CA), as Danielle Bellfi (SR/Murrieta, CA) and Jordan Doiron (SO/Temecula, CA) each potted kills to stretch the lead for VU.  Soon up 16-11, the team never looked back, cruising to a 25-13 victory, with Bailey Olbur (SO/Las Vegas, NV) netting the set-winning kill.

The third set went back and forth during the first few rallies, but the Firebirds soon took an 18-15 lead off an ace, and they did not let up.  While the Lions got kills from Fernandez and Bellfi, USK put the Lions away 25-19 to force a fourth set.

Saint Katherine had the lead early in the fourth but a few attack errors brought the Lions back into contention.  Yet again, the Firebirds scooted away, going up 16-9 in the middle stages of the game.  Blair Dodge (FR/Aliso Viejo, CA) then stepped up and helped the Lions close the distance with some quality serves, as the score favored USK 17-15 when she was forced out of the serving position.  VU finally tied things up on an ace from Rainena Schenbeck Chang (SR/Aiea, HI), making the score 20-all.  With the pressure on, the Firebirds faltered, making a few attack errors to put the Lions up 24-21.  A slam by Hailey Petersen (JR/Omaha, NE) secured the fourth set and the match win for the Blue and Gold, as the team keeps their perfect record alive after two contests.   

Why is it Important?  The Lions beat former coach Eryn Leja-Martin in her return to the Pit, and have now won three of the four matches against the Firebirds in the history of the series.

What's Next?  The University of Redlands will visit the Pit next on Friday, September 3, at 6:00 p.m.