The Benedictine University Mesa women's volleyball team opened Cal Pac play in Southern California against the University of Antelope Valley and La Sierra University. The Redhawks walked away with two wins, the first being a sweep of Antelope Valley, and the second being a five set nailbiter against La Sierra University. The Redhawks are now 7-3 overall and 2-0 in Cal Pac.

REDHAWKS – 3, PIONEERS – 0

(25-13,25-14,25-22)

The Redhawks swept the pioneers with the first two sets being by 10 point margins. The Pioneers defense improved from the first two sets allowing them to keep the match within reach. The Redhawks hit a match low of .016 and had a match high of 12 errors in the third set. Despite the rally from the Pioneers, the Redhawks held the lead and took the match, 3-0.

Libero Haley Rivera led the Redhawks defense and had a season high of 25 digs. Senior setter Annabelle Somoza finished with 20 assists and 7 digs. Freshman Laylah Daniel led the offense with 11 kills and a .310 hitting percentage. Kylie Bartel added 13 assists and 5 kills on a .333 clip.

REDHAWKS – 3, GOLDEN EAGLES – 2

(21-25,25-13,22-25,25-18,15-8)

The Redhawks were led by freshman Laylah Daniel and senior Brianna Rivera with 26 and 21 kills respectively. Daniel hit for a .442 clip in 52 attempts against the Golden Eagles making it her season and career high so far.

Sophomore Kylie Bartel brought in 14 kills, 16 digs and 27 assists in her all-around match notching her first triple-double of her career. Senior setter Annabelle Somoza dished 33 assists, 11 digs and 3 service aces against the Golden Eagles. Libero Haley Rivera tallied 24 digs for the second time this season with the last time being in the win over Hope International.

The Golden Eagles opened the match with promise shutting down the Redhawks for the most of the first set. The Redhawks countered at the 9-19 mark and went on a 12-6 run before letting the set get away in favor of La Sierra. The Redhawks came out in the second set with a spark and posted .444 hitting percentage and held the Golden Eagles to a .114 clip.

BenU struggled to find its offensive rhythm in the third as La Sierra battled back to take the macth lead, 2-1. The fourth set started out in favor of La Sierra but the Redhawks battled back from a 7-3 deficit to take the lead at the 15-15 point break. The Redhawks would go on a 10-3 run to take the fourth set and force a fifth. The Redhawks took the final set hitting a match high .529 hitting percentage and held the Golden Eagles to a .167 with 5 kills.

UP NEXT

The Redhawks return home to host Westcliff University on Thursday, September 15th at 2:30 p.m., the University of Saint Katherine on Friday, September 16th at 7 p.m., and Providence Christian College on Saturday, September 17th at 7 p.m.