Volleyball Victorious On Opening Day

RIVERSIDE, Calif.(Sept. 15, 2008) – The Occidental volleyball team picked up its first win of the 2008 season while head coach Mike Talamantes recorded the first collegiate victory of his career.

Oxy traveled to La Sierra University where the Tigers and Golden Eagles battled through four games, with the first two games going to 27-25 and 26-24 in favor of Oxy and LSU, respectively. Occidental closed out the final two games with 25-11 and 25-20 victories to claim win number one of the season.

Freshman Kaitlin McAndrews led all players with 15 kills, while fellow classmate Gywnne Davis was next in line with nine. Junior Nyki Dedic added eight kills for Oxy. Sophomore Kathryn Bockmon led all players with 26 assists.

Defensively junior middle blocker Ashley Rosembaum recorded a pair of solo blocks while sophomore Ginger Grimes was the Tiger leader in digs with 10. Davis and junior Jamie Nikami each had seven digs.

Additionally, Rosenbaum and junior Nikami each recorded two service aces for Oxy.

Another pair of Tigers appeared in black and orange for the first time. Allie Brown finished with four kills in four games and Lysa Simmade her collegiate debut as well.

The Tigers will be back in action on Thursday when they travel to Orange, Calif. to play the Chapman University Panthers at 7:00 p.m.