THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - The Regals volleyball team completed the first day of the Cal Lu Fornia Invitational 2-0 with wins over George Fox and Hardin-Simmons.
Game 1: CLU vs. GFU
In the first game against George Fox, the Regals looked like their dominant selves in the first two sets, cruising 25-15 and 25-6. The Regals were led by senior middle blocker Shannon Pearson, who had a combined eight kills in nine chances and three service aces in the first two sets. Erika Smith and Kennedy Peters frustrated George Fox hitters registering seven and six digs respectively.
In the second set, sophomore outside hitter Kylie McLogan had five kills on just seven swings, senior setter Jackie Russell dished out nine assists, and freshmen outside hitter Pua Mo'okini-Oliveira had kills on all four of her attacks.
George Fox, however, would not go quietly, battling back to take the third set 25-21. The Bruins raced out to a 4-1 lead before the Regals would tie it back up five. Behind GFU's Erin Campbell's four kills, George Fox would hold leads of 12-8 and 17-13.
CLU tried to combat George Fox's comeback by going to their All-American outside hitter McLogan, who had eight kills on 27 attempts in the third set alone but the Bruins defense held strong registering 12 digs and four blocks to take the set.
The fourth set was back-and-forth with the Regals never really being to pull away until the final points. The CLU outside hitters were finally able to break through the Bruin defense again with Mo'okini-Oliveira tallying for kills and McLogan with six including the game winner.
Russell continued as the steady guide the offense finishing with 47 assists and 11 digs. McLogan had her third-straight game with a double-double, this time recording 25 kills and 12 digs. Erika Smith and Rachel Smith each chipped in 11 digs.
Pearson finished with 11 kills on 19 chances and Mo'okini-Oliveira had her best game offensively as a Regal so far, tallying eight kills on 12 chances.
Senior Lesley Smith and junior Hannah Swaney made their season debuts for the Regals and freshmen Caitlin Fransen made her collegiate debut, appearing in the third set and recording a kill.
Game 2: Hardin-Simmons vs. CLU
In the second game against Hardin-Simmons, the Regals would be tested in a way they hadn't been in three years: without senior setter Jackie Russell. With Russell nursing a sore hand, Coach Kellee Roesel had to turn to three freshmen to help defeat HSU 3-1 (25-23, 22-25, 25-15, 25-16).
Freshmen Allie Hadley filled in for Russell and stepped up in a big way. The freshman from Bothell, Wash. dished out 58 assists and helped McLogan record her fourth-straight double-double with 22 kills and 24 digs.
The first set was all about acclimation for the Regals. With a new setter and two other freshmen on the floor, CLU and Hardin-Simmons traded off points until three consecutive aces by McLogan allowed the Regals to pull away for a 25-23 win. McLogan would finish with an incredible nine service aces for the game.
In the second set, Hardin-Simmons capitalized on some Regal hitting errors and exposed some of CLU's inexperience and stole a set with a 25-22 win.
In between sets, Coach Roesel made a key coaching adjustment, moving Rachel Smith, primarily an outside hitter, to libero, and inserted freshman outside hitter Allie Eason. The results would pay huge dividends.
With R. Smith receiving serves, Hadley and the CLU offense found more opportunities to attack the net, taking the third set 25-15. Fellow freshman Mo'okini-Oliveria also knocked home four kills in the set.
In the fourth set, the Regals attacks were extremely efficient including nine kills in their first 10 attacks. CLU would finish with 15 kills in the set including seven by McLogan.
The Regals are now 4-0 on the year and return to action tomorrow in the final day of the Cal Lu Fornia Inivitational. CLU plays Pacific (Ore.) at 2:00 p.m. then takes on Trinity (Tex.) at 7:00 p.m., both games being played at Gilbert Arena.
Box Score: CLU 3, George Fox 1
Box Score: CLU 3, Hardin-Simmons 1
