SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — The Dominican University of California women's volleyball team posted its highest hitting percentage (.236) in PacWest play on Saturday but the Penguins were downed 3-1 (25-18, 23-25, 25-14, 25-22) by visiting Chamiande University.

Aimee Steinwand led all players with 18 kills and a .286 hitting percentage but the Penguins (2-13/0-7 PacWest) were unable to take advantage of Chaminade (10-7/3-4 PacWest) errors. The Silverswords had 22 attack errors but the Penguins had 10 reception errors themselves and were outdug 55-48.

Leading 17-15 in set one, the Silverswords pulled ahead for good with an 8-3 run to take set one 25-18. Dominican rallied in the second set. Three Chamainde errors helped the Penguins regain the lead, 19-17. From there, Dominican held onto the lead at 20-19 but Chaminade threatened with a 4-1 run that forced Dominican Head Coach gayle Stammer to call timeout. The Penguins rallied in style with kills from Aimee Steinwand, Shannon RiggioKerley, and Megan Callen, plus a Riggio-Kerley service ace to take the set 25-23 and even the match at 1-1.

The Penguins' momentum disappeared in set three when Chaminade opened the set on a 12-5 run. From there, the Silverswords used a 7-0 run to extend the lead to 20-9. The Penguins staved off three set points with kills from Susanna Pilkerton, Samantha Rains, and Riggio-Kerley before a Madalene Barrett kill put the Silverswords back in front for good.

In set four, another 7-0 Silverswords run had Dominican fighting from behind yet again. The Penguins finished the match on a 10-4 run but those four points were just enough for Chaminade to edge the Penguins 25-22.

Dominican continued its strong play at the net, combining for 12 total blocks. Rains tallied eight block assists, matching a career-high, and one block solo, to go with six kills. Pilkerton had four block assists and eight kills. Riggio-Kerley had six kills, 12 digs, and two service aces. Sophomore Madeline Powelson, who played the first three sets as libero, had a match-high 14 digs and had three kills in seven attempts in the final set. Sophomore Hannah Smith dished out 26 assists in three sets while junior Valerie Larsen had 14 assists in three sets.

UH Hilo comes calling on Monday, Oct. 6 as the Penguins continue the pursuit of their first PacWest win of 2014. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. in the Conlan Center. Live coverage will be available at dominicanathletics.com/live.