LA VERNE, CALIF. – The Edgewood College Eagles women's volleyball squad wrapped up their stay in California Saturday. They faced off with the Redland Bulldogs and the La Verne Leopards. The Bulldogs (3-3) rallied for a 3-1 (19-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-20) victory against the Eagles (2-5) in the first match. In the evening, the Leopards (7-0), ranked no. 11 in the latest AVCA poll, took down Edgewood College in a 3-2 (25-20, 25-21, 17-25, 20-25, 15-11) thriller.
MATCH ONE: REDLANDS 3, EDGEWOOD COLLEGE 1 (19-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-20)
- After four unanswered by the Bulldogs early, the Eagles capitalized on mistakes as their own offense evened the match at six apiece with a 4-2 stretch. Four kills and a pair of blocks would contribute to a 7-2 burst and a 17-12 Edgewood College lead in the middle of the frame. Redlands would struggle to make any headway as a 4-1 sprint by the Eagles featuring back-to-back blocks would all but put the set out of reach.
- Edgewood College kept the hot hand in the opening serves of frame two, holding onto a 5-1 lead early. The Bulldogs found their groove, with six kills and two aces fueling an 11-2 explosion and a 12-7 advantage. Redlands kept the pressure on with a 9-4 run in the middle of the frame, steadily pushing the set out of reach to even the match 1-1.
- The teams opened set three with haymakers, as the Bulldogs offense rolled to a 7-1 lead. The Eagles kept close with an 8-4 response to close within two, before the Bulldogs answered with a 6-1 burst. Edgewood College's offense found another gear in a 7-1 rally, with all seven Eagles' points being kills. The Redlands' offense would have the last say in the set, rattling off a 7-1 answer to close the door on the set and earn a 2-1 lead in the match.
- The teams wrestled for position early in the fourth frame, but the Bulldogs pulled away with a 12-4 run for a 19-12 tally. A 6-2 answer would cut the lead to 21-18 for Edgewood College. Redlands would put away the set on a 4-2 run to the finish.
- Both squads put on a strong showing on offense. The Bulldogs posted 62 kills with a .228 attack percentage, while the Eagles finished with a strong line of 56 kills and a .208 attack percentage.
- Kaegan Wherry played key roles on offense and defense for Redlands. They earned a 14-kill, 17-dig double-double.
- Lyric Wateran and Kaenna Van Hofwegan each had 23 assists for the high-octane Bulldogs.
-
Katie Borchert finished with 15 kills, three blocks, and a .484 attack percentage on 31 swings.
-
Abbey Falk had a strong outing with 10 kills, four blocks, and a .529 hitting percentage on 17 attacks.
-
Abigail Hoffmann recorded 26 assists, 11 digs, and nine kills.
-
Abbey Eivins earned 22 assists and 12 digs.
-
Jennacy Wille paced Edgewood College with 22 digs.
MATCH TWO: NO. 11 LA VERNE 3, EDGEWOOD COLLEGE 2 (25-20, 25-21, 17-25, 20-25, 15-11)
- The Leopards launched to a 7-1 lead early in the first frame. Six unanswered would keep the Eagles in the game and within one of La Verne, but the host's advantage would prove to be stubborn. The Leopards finished the first set on a 5-2 rally
- Back-to-back kills from Hoffmann helped Edgewood College claim a 4-1 lead in the second frame. A 7-2 answer from La Verne would put the lead back in their court, before a 5-2 followup would put the Leopards ahead 14-9. Two kills in a row from Borchert would claw the Eagles within one late in the frame, but La Verne would pull away late 6-3 for a 2-0 lead in the match.
- The two teams were in a dead heat in frame three until a 6-2 sprint from Edgewood College put them ahead 17-13, with Borchert tallying two kills and a block in the sequence. The Eagles would keep the pressure on in all aspects of the game as they stayed alive in the match on the back of an 8-2 run.
- Edgewood College kept momentum rolling in the fourth set. A strong offense carved out a small two-point edge early, before an 8-1 explosion enabled by four kills and two aces put the Eagles in a commanding 16-7 position. The Leopards put together a late 6-2 sprint to try and close the gap, but a kill from
Zoee Pond would cut the comeback short and send the two teams to a fifth set.
- Back-to-back kills from Hoffmann put Edgewood College ahead early in the tiebreaker set. La Verne would flip the script in their favor with a 6-1 burst, leaving them in a commanding 11-7 position. The Eagles struggled to make up the difference as the Leopards claimed the five-set victory.
- The two squads were incredibly close in most statistical categories, including both teams swinging for 62 kills each. La Verne outhit Edgewood College .232-to-.215, while the Eagles won the blocking battle 9-to-8.
-
Cassidy Spies was one of three Edgewood College hitters to finish with double-digit kills. She swung for 17 kills.
- Hoffmann earned a triple-double with 15 kills, 29 assists, and 15 digs. She also hit .389 on 36 attempts.
- Borchert rounded out the double-digit kills with 14 of her own and a .429 hitting percentage
- Falk finished with a team-high six blocks.
- Wille led the Eagles with 21 digs, while
Mia Hinkamper posted 12 of her own. Hinkamper added a team-high four aces.
- Eivins finished with 20 assists.
- Four Leopards had double-digit kills. Kimi Watanabe-Mayhew paced the squad with 15, while Zacky Coaston posted 11 kills on 20 attacks with a .500 hitting percentage.
- Malia Capistrano and Sydne Humphrey fueled the LaVerne attack with 26 and 18 assists respectively. Humphrey earned a double-double with her 10 digs.
- Kaitlyn Patterson tallied 22 digs.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The Eagles played against the Bulldogs and Leopards for the first time in program history.
- Hoffmann has recorded two triple-doubles in seven matches this season.
- Hinkamper's 12 digs against La Verne were a personal best with the program.
- Spies' 17 kills versus the Leopards were also her best with Edgewood College.
- Hoffmann's 29 assists against La Verne were a career high.
UP NEXT
The Eagles return to the Midwest for another tri-match on Friday. They will take on Illinois Wesleyan and Coe in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. First serve is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
