SAN RAFAEL, Calif.- The Dominican University of California women's volleyball team opened strong against Hawai'i Pacific University but ultimately fell in four sets.
Alexis Schwartz led the Penguins' offensive attack with a match-high 20 kills, adding one service ace and one block assist to finish with 21.5 points. Kali Young also delivered a strong performance, recording 10 kills and a block assist as Dominican finished with 44 kills.
Dominican set the tone early in the opening set, collecting 14 kills to take a 25-23 victory. Schwartz and Young helped lead the attack as the Penguins secured the early advantage.
Hawai'i Pacific responded in the second set, limiting Dominican to seven kills and earning a 25-21 win to even the match. The Sharks continued their momentum in the third set, pulling away for a 25-16 victory.
The Penguins battled back in the fourth set, recording 14 kills while hitting .195. However, Hawai'i Pacific held on for a 25-22 win to close out the match.
Defensively, Sophia Bernabe paced Dominican with an outstanding 34 digs, while Chloe Cruz contributed 12 digs and Cierra Ray added 10. Cruz also led the Penguins with 16 assists, with Bella Vertudez adding 15 assists to help facilitate the offense.
At the net, Ashlyn Daugherty led Dominican with three block assists. Ray contributed two service aces, while Cruz and Bernabe each added an ace. Dominican finished the match with 44 kills, five service aces, 42 assists and 91 digs.Â
The Penguins will continue their last home stand of the season Friday night when they host the Vulcans of Hilo at 6 p.m.Â
