SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — The Dominican University of California women's volleyball team pushed Dixie State on Saturday but fell 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 30-28).

A game out of first place in the PacWest and winners of their last five matches, Dixie State (12-8/9-3 PacWest) used a balanced attack to hold on in a closely contested match. The Penguins (6-12/3-9 PacWest) were dealt a blow early on. Leading 13-12, the team's leading hitter, sophomore Aimee Steinwand dove for a dig. She crumpled up after the attempt and did not return the rest of the match. Dominican led 13-12 at that point but DSU went on an 8-3 run to take a 20-17 lead and held on to take the first set 25-21.

The Red Storm jumped out to a 5-1 lead in set two and the Penguins played from behind the entire set, though they pullled within a pair, 21-19, thanks to one of eight Brittany Latigue kills.

Another Latigue kill, plus a block assist from Latigue and Hannah Smith, and a Madeline Powelson service ace gave Dominican an early 3-0 lead to begin set three. However, the Red Storm was relentless and surged back to eventually take a 24-21 lead. The Penguins staved off match point and took the next three points, on a service error and back-to-back kills from freshman Kate Even. A few plays later, an Even block gave Dominican a 26-25 lead and set point but Dixie State answered with a Delayne Daniel kill. A Shannon RiggioKerley gave Dominican another chance at extending the match but DSU rallied with the final three points of the match.

Junior libero Amanda Lee had a match-best 22 digs while Powelson added 11 in the effort. DSU had four players record double digit digs, led by libero Alex Anderson's 16. Riggio-Kerley led Dominican with 10 kills. Taylor Duryea and Daniel led the Red Storm with 11 apiece.

Dominican heads to Bay Area rival Notre Dame de Namur on Wednesday, Oct. 28 for a 7 p.m. match. Then, the Penguins return home for a six-match homestand.