San Marcos, Calif. - The Golden Eagles (0-2) women's volleyball team dropped a non-conference match, 3-1 (25-12, 19-25, 25-21, 25-23), at California State University – San Marcos (1-0) this afternoon. The match was played at The Sports Center – San Marcos' brand new gymnasium. Prior to the match a ribbon cutting ceremony was held prior to the first official event in the new facility.
The Cougars used that excitement and energy, and jumped all over the Golden Eagles by taking the first set in dominating fashion. But the Golden Eagles answered back with a Set 2 victory as they settled into the match.
In Set 3, San Marcos used a 6-0 scoring run, with the scored tied 6-6, taking control of the set and cruising to a 25-21 set victory and a 2-1 lead in the match.
La Sierra put up a valiant fight in Set 4, but trailing 10-6 early in the set, the Cougars answered back to tie the score at 12-12. San Marcos outscored the Golden Eagles 15-5 during the stretch to take a 21-15 lead. The Golden Eagles weren't done yet as they rattled off five straight points, with three courtesy of service aces by Emily Morgan. They even tied the score at 22-22 before the Cougars were able to close things out with a 25-23 Set 4 win.
Michele Mendizabel led the attack for the Golden Eagles as she finished the match with 13 kills. Outside hitter Kiana Krumm pitched in with 10 kills, while Taylor Moran and Briana Greeley added six kills each.
Setter's Smriti Sharma and Marissa Fregoso split the responsibilities in the 6-2 system the Golden Eagles employ, with Fregoso finishing with 21 assists and Sharma adding 18 assists on the night.
Defensively, the Golden Eagles finished the match with 55 digs, led by libero Emily Morgan and Fregoso who each finished with 11 digs for the match. Daniela Alvarez contributed nine digs with Krumm pitching in with eight digs. Kiana Velesco and Moran each tallied three block assists, factoring in on the six of the eight Golden Eagles block assists.
It will be a quick turnaround for the women's volleyball team who are back at it tomorrow, with two matches at the Hope International University Tournament. The first match will pit the Golden Eagles against #19 Biola University (12pm) followed by a match versus The Master's College, at 4pm.
