REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Volleyball team dropped their final home Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) game Tuesday night 25-12, 25-16, 25-14 to the University of La Verne on Dig Pink inside Currier Gym.
The Bulldogs saw themselves down early 4-1 and 6-2 in the first set to the Leopards. They were able to string together three unanswered points to get within one, 6-5, thanks to a kill from Kiana Stradford (Mission Viejo, CA).
Following the push, the Leopards extended their lead to seven, 12-5, following a 6-0 run. Redlands continued to battle, winning the next three points off two Leopard errors and a kill from Paige Sugg (Federal Way, WA), but this momentum stalled as La Verne would go on to take the opening frame.
UR got off to a slow start in the second set after allowing the first three points and seven of the first ten to ULV. But even trailing early they were able to deadlock the set at seven thanks to four straight highlighted by a service ace from Lyric Waterman (Aurora, CO).
After that it was all La Verne taking control with a 16-6 run. The Maroon and Grey created some pushback late winning three-straight with Waterman feeding Stradford for a kill up front to make it a seven-point margin, 23-16. But the spark would soon go out as the deficit proved to much for the Bulldogs.
ULV won eight of the first nine points in the third set to take another quick lead on the night. Redlands was able to weather the storm getting within three, 15-12, thanks to a stretch where they outscored the Leopards by four, 11-7. During this span Bailey Hoblitzell (Elk Grove, CA) had two kills, Kylie Martin (Centennial, CO) Shelby Dawson (Fontana, CA) had a kill each, and Samantha Gradowitz (Bakersfield, CA) added an ace.
The three points was the closest the Bulldogs got in the third and final set as the Leopards would score ten of the final twelve points to complete the sweep.
Gradowitz posted a career-high 10 digs and had two service aces. Stradford added six digs, four kills, two assists, and two blocks. Sugg had a solid all-around game as well, posting eight digs, three kills, an assist, an ace, and a block.
Redlands will play their final home game of the season this Thursday, October 27 at 7:00 p.m. when they welcome in West Coast Baptist for a non-conference match-up.
