Costa Mesa -- Vanguard women's volleyball took to the court Saturday afternoon against William Jessup in Golden State Athletic Conference action. The Warriors and the Lions needed all five sets to determine a winner, with VU putting the pedal down in the final set to take the match win 3-2. With winning scores of 23-25, 25-20, 25-23, 20-25, and 15-5, the Lions improve to 7-1 on the year and 2-1 in the GSAC.
What happened? WJU took the first point of the match but Cambria Fernandez (SR/Northridge, CA) and Danielle Bellfi (SR/Murrieta, CA) had back-to-back kills to give VU its first lead of the day. Yet neither side could get a big lead, as the score would be tied nine times as the first set progressed. Even though the Warriors then pulled away by three to take a 20-17 lead in the later stages, the Blue and Gold did not accept defeat and stuck back quickly. Fernandez smacked down a big kill and Madeline DeLucia (SO/Happy Valley, OR) slid in an ace to make the score 20-19. Although VU put up a good fight, the Warriors stayed ahead and closed out the frame 25-23. VU hit .150 in the set.
Set Two
The opening part of set two was again a back and forth affair, as neither side could stay on top for long. William Jessup took an 11-8 lead but Fernandez helped get the Lions back on track with some digs and a couple of kills. Bailey Olbur (SO/Las Vegas, NV) and Bellfi then recorded kills to help tie the set at 13-13, and the score would bounce in favor of each side over the next few rallies. Tied 18-18, Vanguard got a kill from Olbur and then an ace from Fernandez to push the lead to 20-18. VU held on from there, taking set two on a setting error 25-20. The Lions hit .355 in the period, with 13 kills and two errors, their best hitting percentage of the night.
Set Three
The Lions again had to battle in the third, as the Warriors took an 8-4 advantage out of the gate. A good run from behind the service line helped to tie the score at 8-all. The Blue and Gold took their first lead off an attack error by WJU. The Warriors took another lead at 22-18, but VU stormed back to tie things at 23-23. A kill by Fernandez capped off the comeback and the Lions took the third period 25-23. Vanguard hit .265 in the set, with 14 kills and five errors.
Set Four
Despite the Lions hitting .314 in the fourth, William Jessup proved too tough to go quietly into the Costa Mesa afternoon. The Warriors seized control in the later stages of the match, jumping away from an 18-18 tie to win 25-20.
Set Five
While the Warriors had played the Lions tightly all day long, VU left nothing to chance in the final and deciding fifth set. The squad rolled out to a 6-2 lead to force WJU to take their first timeout. The pause did not reset the momentum, as the Lions pushed the gap to 10-4, which forced William Jessup into their second timeout. The Warriors got one more point, but VU rattled off the remaining five points with ease to claim the set 15-5 and the match three sets to two.
The team hit .260 in the match, had nine solo blocks, and 11 service aces. Fernandez paced the team with 15 kills, while Bellfi had another great game, adding in 13 kills. Callie Bickmore (SO/Auburn, CA) proved to be effective as well, putting down 11 kills. DeLucia split time with Lim, with DeLucia collecting 21 assists and Lim adding in 22. Victoria Verceles (JR/Long Beach, CA) led the lineup with 19 digs, with Fernandez nabbing another double-double, as she posted 14 digs. Bellfi chipped in with 11 digs as well.
What was said? "Today was another great test," said Head Coach Jennifer Dorn. "We needed to play consistently and be aggressive from all positions. We executed our game plan and it was a really well-played match."
Why it's Important? VU has only one loss now in 18 matches against the Warriors. It also puts VU up to second in the GSAC standings, tied with Westmont at 3-1.
What's next? A match against Westcliff on Tuesday, September 21, at 7:00 p.m.
