ARCATA, Calif.- Dominican women's volleyball had their final tune up before PacWest play Saturday afternoon. The Penguins squared off against Oklahoma Christian in game one then wrapped up Saturday with their first victory of the 2025 season against the Lumberjacks of Cal Poly Humboldt. Next up for the black and gold is the first conference match of 2025 as they head to Hawaii Sept. 18^th to battle Chaminade at 9 p.m. PST.

OKLA. CHRISTIAN 3, DUC 0

Dominican matched up with the Eagles of Oklahoma Christian University for their first match Saturday morning. The Pengs came into this one wanting to enforce their defense and it was on display as they came down with five blocks. Sophomore Kali Young was the leader for Dominican in this department swatting down two blocks to go along with three kills against the Eagles.

Early into the season the rookies have made their mark for the black and gold, and it was no different in this one as the freshmen duo of Cierra Ray and Alexis Schwartz would lead the Pengs in kills. Fellow freshman Sophia Bernabe was everywhere on the court against the Eagles as she came up with a team high seven digs to go along with a trio of assists.

CAL POLY HUMBOLDT 0, DUC 3

The Penguins grabbed their first dub of the season in their last match of the Redwood Coast Volleyball Classic dropping the host Lumberjacks. The black and gold were eager to end the tournament on a high note, and they did just that in a convincing 3-0 sweep led by Sophomore Young who slammed home a game high 11 kills.

Dominican started this match fast and didn't let up after taking the first set 25-17. Young gave the Lumberjacks fits all night, but it started in the first set when she had consecutive kills. The Pengs were on the same page throughout the match as they finished with a total of 29 assists while 13 of those came courtesy of junior Kiara Milar. Milar, the Las Vegas native, had her serves working in this one as she also collected a game high four aces. Sophomore Chloe Cruz was right behind her dishing out 11.

Schwartz, the Carlsbad native, finished the first set off when she found a soft spot in the Lumberjacks defense. Humboldt would start the second set strong jumping out to a quick lead, but the duo of Young and Schwartz would halt the Lumberjacks momentum. Schwartz would finish the match second on the team with nine kills to go along with 12 digs.

The Penguins defense was stout all match forcing Humboldt to adjust their offensive game plan midway through the match. Junior Ashlyn Daugherty led the defensive front forcing a game high three blocks while senior Lauren Wiley finished with two. Dominican's defense as a whole was stingy throughout as they didn't allow more than 18 points in any set.

Bernabe and Schwartz were named to the All-Tournament for their outstanding play over the weekend. Bernabe was the energizer bunny for the Penguins digging out a total of 42 digs while Schwartz was the enforcer slamming home 24 kills.