OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Dominican women's volleyball team is on its first winning streak of the season as they defeated Holy Names 3-1 (19-25, 28-26, 25-22, 25-15) Friday at Tobin Gymnasium.

Freshman Catherine Johnson led the Penguins (3-8, 2-1 PacWest) with 13 kills, while freshman Hana Wyles earned 31 digs. On defense, junior Cat Thomason and freshman Eleni Loizou contributed six blocks apiece.  

The Hawks' Summer Williams earned a double-double of 10 kills and 18 digs, while Summer Vercruyssen and Ashly Goor each added six blocks.

The Penguins played from behind, losing the first set 25-19. Holy Names took advantage of several Dominican errors early in the game to start out with a commanding 8-2 lead. While the Penguins attempted a comeback late in the set with a 4-point surge from three consecutive Hawks attack errors, Holy Names went on to take the set.

The next three sets all would turn the momentum to Dominican's favor. Holy Names committed an error and Johnson found the floor on a kill to give the Penguins their first lead of the match at 10-8 in the second set. Holy Names reclaimed the lead late in the set, forcing extra points. However, junior Kate Even started a 3-point surge by the Penguins with a kill and they sealed the second set victory 28-26.

The Hawks came out strong in the third set with a 5-1 run, but Even and Johnson each contributed kills for Dominican during a 4-point surge to give it the 10-9 lead early. Susanna Pilkerton and Rebecca Smith led the Penguins on another 5-point surge to maintain the lead and hold off Holy Names for the 25-22 set victory.

Dominican was at their best in the fourth set. While both teams played a close game early on, freshman Josie Walser sparked a 4-point run with an ace to help Dominican run away with the set. The Penguins would add another 4-0 run and a 3-point surge to build a double-digit lead and take the 25-15 victory for the match.

Dominican will travel to St. George, Utah, to face Dixie State on Saturday, Sept. 30, at noon MST. Live stats and video will be available online.