The women's volleyball team finished off a 4-0 week with two wins over Providence Christian College (3-0) and the University of Antelope Valley (3-0) this past weekend. The two wins also extended the team's winning streak to seven straight matches and has vaulted them into sole possession of second place in the Cal Pac standings.
On Saturday night, the team traveled to Providence Christian to make-up a match that was originally scheduled for September 19. The two teams met earlier in the week, with the Golden Eagles winning the match in four sets. In the rematch, La Sierra cruised to a 3-0 victory (25-17, 25-14, 25-19) behind nine kills by Abby Latuhoi, and six kills apiece by Caitlin Marinos, Erin Miller, and Taylor Moran.
Setter Smriti Sharma finished with 27 assists, while Emily Morgan led the team with a modes four digs in the match. As a team, the Golden Eagles benefitted from 10 service aces on the night, along with 25 attack errors by Providence.
In what was a quick turnaround for the Golden Eagles, the team played host to the University of Antelope Valley in a rare Sunday morning start time.
After a competitive opening set, La Sierra dominated Sets 2 and 3 on their way to a 3-0 win (25-21, 25-8, 25-18), and their seventh win in a row. Marinos led the team with 12 kills and eight digs, while Samantha Marquez added nine kills and eight digs of her own.
Abby Latuhoi tallied seven kills and three block assists, with Miller contributing six kills and two block assists in the win.
Sharma and fellow setter Marissa Fregoso kept the offense on track with 20 assists and 15 assists, respectively. Morgan led all players with a match-high 19 digs and three service aces.
With the latest victories, the Golden Eagles are now 5-2 in Cal Pac play (12-7 overall) just one game behind first-place Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.). The two teams will meet this coming Thursday at the Alumni Pavilion in the battle for the top seed. Embry-Riddle defeated the Golden Eagles in straight sets, in Prescott, Arizona, back on October 10. A non-conference match versus Hope International University will precede Thursday's match, on Wednesday evening, as La Sierra looks to keep their streak going. The team will close the week out with another home match against Benedictine University (Ariz.), at 3pm, on Friday afternoon.
