BOX SCORE

PHOENIX, Ariz. — A night after dropping a close 3-1 decision to Grand Canyon University, the Dominican University of California women's volleyball team faced the 'Lopes again on Saturday night, only to reach the same result in a 3-1 (20-25, 25-22, 24-26, 17-25) loss in Pacific West Conference Play.

After dropping the first set, Dominican (2-13/0-4) rallied back and earned the set two win for the second straight night. Ria Falealili started things off for the Lady Penguins with a kill and a pair of service aces as Dominican took an early 4-0 lead. From there, the lead grew to 9-2. Grand Canyon (7-10/3-3) knotted things at 21-21 before four alternating kills by Falealili and Ashlee Sand finished the set at 25-22.

Dominican took another early lead in set three before the 'Lopes rallied to tie the set at 10-10. The set remained tight, with neither team taking more than a one-point lead until back-to-back kills gave Grand Canyon the 23-21 advantage. Another Sand kill and a GCU attack error tied it at 24-24 but the 'Lopes finished the set with a pair of kills to take the 2-1 lead in the match.

Set four remained close until a seven point GCU lead put Grand Canyon ahead for good 21-14.
With the momentum clearly in their court, the 'Lopes cruised the rest of the way to their eleventh consecutive home victory.

Falealili led all players with 17 kills and had a team-high 22 digs and three service aces. Jessica Jones added 13 kills and 13 digs and Sand recorded a dozen kills. Ashley Pittman dug out 19 balls. Sarah Bain dished out 40 assists and had 16 digs.

Erica Ehlo and Brooke Blomenkamp each had 14 kills for the 'Lopes. Laurann Durbin was one of four 'Lopes to record at least 10 digs and led all players with 27. Durbin and Ehlo each added a pair of service aces.

The Dominican women continue to search for their first conference win on Friday, October 8 when Hawai'i-Hilo visits the Conlan Center. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The game is being broadcast live on http://radio.dominican.edu and a live video feed of the game is available through the America One/B2 Network.