The Benedictine Mesa women's volleyball team battled throughout a tightly contested GSAC matchup on Thursday night but came up short in a 3-1 road loss to Life Pacific. The Redhawks claimed the opening set before the Warriors rallied to take the next three by scores of 20-25, 25-21, 26-24 and 25-21.
Benedictine opened the match with a strong first-set performance, using a balanced offensive attack and timely blocks to build momentum. The Redhawks led by as many as five points midway through the set and closed out the 25-20 victory behind key kills from Sophie Drollinger, Kylie Malone and Addy Green.Â
Life Pacific answered in the second set, erasing an early 10-4 Benedictine advantage. The Warriors used a late run to take control and evened the match with a 25-21 win.Â
The third set proved to be the turning point of the contest. Benedictine and Life Pacific traded points throughout the frame, with the Redhawks holding a 24-23 lead and sitting one point away from taking a two-sets-to-one advantage. However, the Warriors scored the final three points to escape with a 26-24 victory and move ahead in the match.
Benedictine continued to fight in the fourth set, overcoming an early deficit and tying the score at 11-11 after back-to-back service aces from Taylee Wilson. The Redhawks remained within striking distance late and pulled within 24-21 after an Addy Green kill, but Life Pacific secured match point on the ensuing rally to close out the victory.Â
Sophie Drollinger led the Redhawk attack with 13 kills while adding 24 digs and two service aces for a double-double. Addy Green contributed eight kills on a team-best .294 hitting percentage, while Kylie Malone finished with nine kills and an ace. Janae Moore added six kills and four block assists, and Marley Cortez chipped in five kills and five block assists.
