Redding, Calif. - Looking to start the conference season off on the right foot, the women's volleyball team swept Simpson University (25-16, 25-14, 25-23) in today's Cal Pac opener. In the process, the Golden Eagles won their fifth straight match and improved to 6-3 on the season. Another benefit of the sweep is that they are able to conserve as much energy as possible, since the team will play the second of back-to-back matches tomorrow evening, at Pacific Union College.
Both teams struggled to keep the ball inbounds at times, but it was the Golden Eagles who made the most of their opportunities with a 40-19 advantage in total kills. La Sierra finished with a total of 21 attack errors, while the Red Hawks had 20 attack errors of their own. With just 19 kills in the match against he 20 errors, Simpson had a negative hitting percentage of -.009 at the end of the day.
Kiana Krumm led all players with 12 kills on 25 attempts and only three attack errors, which was good for a .360 hitting percentage. Just as impressive was the play of freshman middle hitter, Veronica Ramirez, who added nine kills on 15 attempts, against just one attack error for a team-high hitting percentage of .533. Michele Mendizabal contributed seven kills on the afternoon, to go along with three service aces, matching the game-high of Krumm who also finished with three service aces.
The Golden Eagles also held a distinct defensive advantage with 62 team digs to Simpsons 45 digs. Three difference La Sierra players tallied double-digits in digs, led by Krumm who finished with 18 digs. Libero Emily Morgan added 14 digs, with Daniela Alvarez had 10 digs in the match. Ramirez also factored in defensively with a total of 5.5 blocks (three solo blocks and five block assists).
Setters Marissa Fregoso and Hannah Schaffer led the offensive attack for the Golden Eagles and each collected 15 assists in the win.
The team will play their second of two straight Cal Pac matches, scheduled for this weekend, tomorrow night when they travel to Pacific Union College. The Pioneers won their conference opener, for their first win of the season yesterday afternoon, in a five set win over Providence Christian College. Saturday night's match, between the two sister schools, will get underway at 8pm.
