BOX SCORE | PODCAST

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — The Dominican University of California women's volleyball team lost another close match to Dixie State College on Saturday night, falling in three straight sets, 25-20, 25-21, 26-24, to the predicted Pacific West Conference champs.

Dominican (2-11/0-2) got off to a faster start on Saturday, taking an early 5-2 lead but Dixie State (7-3/2-0) rallied for a 9-3 run that sent the Red Storm ahead 11-8. Dominican regained the lead at 16-15 on a Cayla Morphew kill but the Lady Penguins never saw the lead again and Dixie State closed out the set with the final four points.

Dixie State continued to roll, taking the early 4-0 advantage in set two. A Jessica Jones kill, combined with three straight Dixie State errors, allowed Dominican to even the score. Three straight Dominican kills and a Lauren Clark service ace put Dominican ahead 9-8. Dixie State rallied again, taking eight of the next 10 points, to go ahead 16-11. The Lady Penguins fought back within three points but was unable to catch up, dropping the second set 25-21.

The Lady Penguins came out firing in set three, taking an early 6-1 lead. Dominican held the lead until an attack error allowed the Red Storm to tie the set at 17-17. The teams exchanged points until 24-24. Consecutive kills from Madisyn Fitzgerald and Melissa Fifita gave Dixie State the victory.

Freshmen outside hitter Hannah Stocking and Ria Falealili posted 10 kills and nine kills apiece but as a team the Lady Penguins hit just .061 for the night. Sophomore Ashlee Sand added half a dozen kills on the night.

Senior setter Brooke Swingle recorded 23 assists and sophomore Sarah Bain dished out eight assists. Falealili led Dominican with 14 digs  and Jones added 10 digs.

The Lady Penguins hit the road and travel to Grand Canyon University for matches on October 1 and 2.  Both games are scheduled for 6:00 p.m. start times.