Volleyball Effort Falls Short

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Oct. 21, 2008) –  Although signs of improvement from opening day were widely evident on the volleyball court tonight, the Tigers fell short to the University of Redlands in straight sets, despite keeping the games close.

Occidental jumped out to an early lead in game one, but eventually the Bulldogs took it by a 25-17 final, the same score of the third game. 

The second game was the closest the Tigers would get to a victory, falling short in the game by just four points at 25-21.

While Oxy only managed to put down 14 kills, UR totaled 35, with Megan Phillips and Jackie Hamilton leading the way with eight apiece. Kathryn Bockmon recorded four with Nyki Dedic and Ashley Rosenbaum each pitching in three.

Kelina Smith led all players with 26 assists for the Bulldogs while Oxy’s Jamie Nikami accounting for nine.

Bockmon and Nikami each reached double figures with 15 and 10 digs, respectively. For the Bulldogs Hamilton finished with a match-high 22 as teammate Dory Baga added 20 digs.

The Tigers were slightly edged blocking with 6.0 total team blocks to the Bulldogs’ 6.5. Four different players recorded solo blocks for Occidental (Bockmon, Rosenbaum, Kaitlin McAndrews and Ginger Grimes). Ali Massei had two solo blocks for UR.

With the loss Oxy falls to 5-7 overall, 2-6 in SCIAC play as Redlands improves to 11-11, 5-4. 

On Friday night the Tigers will travel to Pomona-Pitzer to face the Sagehens at 7:30 p.m.