SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — The Conlan Center crowd rose to its feet and roared when sophomore Aimee Steinwand slammed her match-high 12th kill to secure the sweep (25-22, 27-25, 25-23) for the Dominican University of California women's volleyball team versus Concordia Irvine.

The Penguins (6-11/3-8 PacWest) found themselves trailing in every set but secured their second sweep of the season to top the newest member of the PacWest.

Tied 8-8 in set one, the Penguins used a service error to grab some momentum. Coupled with a Kate Even block, Shannon RiggioKerley kill, and another Eagles (11-10/7-5 PacWest) error, Dominican grabbed a 12-8 lead. The Eagles trimmed the lead to two, 21-19, but a kill by Steinwand and a CUI service error into the net gave the Penguins the first set.

Concordia Irvine held set point, 24-22, in set two but another CUI service error left the door open. A block by Steinwand and Brittany Latigue tied the set at 24-24 and kills by Madeline Powelson and Latigue gave Dominican the 2-0 lead at intermission. Set three was tied 21-21 but Dominican scored four of the next six points to take the match.

The Penguins hit .216 for the match, including .250 in the first set. Steinwand was one of three players with 12 and added 14 digs, four blocks, and a pair of service aces. Latigue added nine kills and four blocks. Even, Powelson, and Riggio-Kerley all had five kills. Powelson also had two aces. Junior setter Hannah Smith dished out 34 assists and had seven digs. Alexa LoGiudice tallied five digs.

It was quite a show for both teams on defense. CUI libero Taylor Dennison and Dominican libero Amanda Lee entered the match ranked first and second in the PacWest in digs and will remain separated by .22 per set for now after both had a match-high 15 digs on the night.

CUI was led by 12 kills apiece from Rachel Flynn and Hannah Andrews. Olivia Zolezzi also had 15 digs.

Dominican hosts Dixie State on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 3 p.m. That weekend is also Family Weekend.