GLENDALE, Ariz. – The second contest of back-to-back games in Arizona can always present a challenge for visiting Golden State Athletic Conference teams. But the Vanguard women's volleyball team did not slip in Saturday's contest against Arizona Christian, as the Lions swept the Firestorm 25-12, 25-21, and 25-22. Morgan Cole (FR/Bakersfield, CA) once more led the team in kills to continue a great week for the freshman. VU improved to 15-5 overall and 5-1 in GSAC play, with ACU falling to 5-9 overall and 2-4 in conference action.
What Happened?
The Blue and Gold had a quality start to the match, as Cambria Fernandez (SR/Northridge, CA) bashed the first kill of the day down to the court. She then added in an ace after some ACU mistakes, with a kill from Cole coming soon thereafter, to make it 5-0 VU. But the shock then wore off and the Firestorm came back with six of the next seven points to knot the game at 6-6. Cole and Payton Darm (SO/San Juan Capistrano, CA) reestablished a lead for the Lions with back-to-back kills and Vanguard disappeared from there. The 17-6 run saw kills from across the lineup as VU smacked at a .267 attack rate in the first to take the set 25-12. ACU hit at a -.031 mark.
The Firestorm would improve their play the next two sets but Vanguard would not drop its level of play. VU got two early kills from Cole to snag a 3-2 lead but the score would flip-flop as the set moved along. Fernandez landed a couple more kills and Hailey Petersen (SR/Omaha, NE) also got a kill, but neither side could establish a big lead. Tied at 16-all, Fernandez smacked down another kill and VU rolled off a 4-2 run to net a 22-18 edge. ACU called a timeout but they could not close the distance, as a kill by Delaney Hill (FR/Foothill Ranch, CA) closed out the frame 25-21. The Lions were potent in the second, hitting at a .414 rate with 15 kills and three errors on 29 attempts. ACU hit .242.
So it was that on the brink of a sweep, the Firestorm rallied for the most competitive set of the game. Petersen put the Lions on the board first but neither side could escape with a lead for long. Cole had back-to-back kills a few rallies later but Arizona Christian quickly tied the game at 5-5. A couple of two-point leads for ACU were reversed by the Blue and Gold and the game remained close until it was 14-14. A drop-shot from Darm gave the Lions the lead and VU would use a couple of errors by the home side to take an 18-15 advantage. Fernandez and Hill helped to keep the lead at three with a kill each, forcing ACU to call a timeout. Madeline DeLucia (JR/Happy Valley, OR) put down an ace after the break and then made a quality setter dump to push the lead to 23-18. The Firestorm made a late push but two kills from Cole ended the threat as VU took the third set 25-22. Vanguard hit .222 in the third, with ACU hitting .200.
Vanguard hit .295 for the match, with 44 kills and 16 errors. ACU hit .133 and the Lions had the advantage in all major statistical categories. Vanguard had a huge 42-29 edge in digs, had an 8-4 lead in aces, and had the only three solo blocks of the match. Cole had 13 kills to lead the team as well as seven digs. Fernandez was clinical with her attempts, collecting nine kills with only one error to hit .471 for the match. DeLucia had 23 assists and three aces, while Rachel Lim (SO/La Palma, CA) had 16 assists and two aces. Blair Dodge (SO/Aliso Viejo, CA) had 10 digs to pace the lineup.
What was Said?
"We are thrilled to have a great travel weekend to Arizona," said Head Coach Jennifer Dorn. "We came in with a purpose at ACU and we were ready to compete starting with the first rally. Everyone played a great match, highlighted by Morgan having 13 kills and Cam hitting .471. I am very happy about where our heads are at right now."
Why is it Important?
Westmont also won Saturday, as the two rivals remain locked in a tie for first. VU is now 17-3 all-time against the Firestorm.
What's Next?
The Lions will have one more away match next as the team will drive up to play Hope International on Friday, September 30 at 6:00 p.m.
