LA VERNE, Calif. - Cal Lutheran had to rely on its solid offense to offset a shaky start in the first set in match one before cruising through the next two to complete the three set sweep, 25-21, 25-18, 25-19, in the season opener against UMass-Boston. In the second match CLU dominated No. 14 Colorado College, winning 25-15, 25-12, 25-10.
In the first match, the Regals were led by Kylie McLogan and Rachel Smith who both recorded double-doubles. McLogan led CLU with 21 kills and 10 digs while Smith also efficient with 14 kills on only 26 chances, good for a .540 hitting percentage. She also recorded a team-high 13 digs. Senior setter Jackie Russell dished out 39 assists to pace the Regals offense. Defensively, Erika Smith performed well recording 12 digs.
In set one, the Regals got out to a quick start and led 7-4 before UMass-Boston stormed back to tie it at 11. CLU won the next point and with Shannon Pearson serving, the Regals went on a five-point run to extend the lead to 17-11. However, the Beacons wouldn't go quietly and battled back to get it within two, 23-21. McLogan would not allow the match to last much longer, coming through with two straight kills to win the set.
The second game started out very much the same with the Regals racing out to 7-3 lead, capped by a picture-perfect set by Russell and kill by McLogan. However, defensive miscues and service errors helped the Beacons climb back into it. UMass-Boston scored four of the next seven points to get it within three at 10-7. The three-point lead would be as close as UMB would get with McLogan and Smith each recording two kills and Pearson's service ace pushing the Regals lead to 23-17. A blocking error for the Beacons ended the set, 25-17.
CLU cruised to 25-18 victory to complete the sweep, led by McLogan's seven kills, five from R. Smith and 13 assists from Russell.
The second match of the day for the Regals went entirely differently but still had the same result, a 3-0 sweep. The Regals played stout defense and left little doubt about the No. 6 national ranking as they took down 2011 NCAA Regional Final foe Colorado College, 25-15, 25-12, 25-10, and improved to 2-0 on the season.
In the first set alone, the Regals had 23 digs as a team. Lauren Rohach's defense shined in game one and Pua Mo'okini Oliveira made her collegiate debut as she had three kills in the set.
In the second set, McLogan led the way with six kills.
Allie Eason and Allie Hadley would make their collegiate debuts in the third set as Eason recorded her first kill and Hadley had a block.
"Overall, the first match was little bit up and down and we knew that coming in with it being our first match. We just knew we had to be the team that made the least mistakes," seventh year head coach Kellee Roesel said.
Roesel was however pleased with the team's performance in both matches.
"I thought our offense really carried us in our first match and the defense carried us in the second." Roesel continued, "I saw us doing some good things and I was happy see some freshmen get their feet wet. But there is just so much more potential with this group. I know we will continue to improve and I'm excited to see where it takes us."
Roesel also thought senior outside hitter, R. Smith, was the MVP of the day. While she may not always get as much publicity as some of her teammates, Roesel gushed about her performance saying, "She is a coach's dream; she can serve, she's our best defender, I can't say enough about her, she's a true joy to coach and she helped carry us to two wins today."
The Regals come home next Friday, September 7, to host the Cal Lu Fornia Invitational. CLU takes on George Fox at 3 p.m. and Hardin-Simmons (Tex.) at 7:00 p.m.
Box Score: CLU 3, UMB 0
Box Score: CLU 3, CC 0 (unavailable at time of release)
