LA MIRADA, Calif. – Lady Argo volleyball won its first match of the 2016 season, defeating #24 Northwestern College 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 27-25) in the 2016 Biola Vollyeball/Red Lion-Anaheim Summer Slam. The win comes after UGF lost to two ranked teams in the tournament's previous day.
The team showed improvement in just about every area, but particularly in hitting efficiency and blocks. UGF hit below a 0.100 percentage in both games on Thursday, but finished the game against Northwestern with a percentage of 0.280. The team also doubled its block total with 7.
Leading the way in both hitting and blocking was senior middle blocker Tiffany Marks. Marks had team highs in kills (16) and block assists (5) while hitting a percentage of 0.500. She accounted for a third of the Lady Argo's 56 total points with 18.5 points.
Offense dominated the pace of play in the first set, with both teams hitting over 0.300, but both teams turned up the defense with each set. By the third set, UGF limited the Red Raider's hitting to 0.158 percent, the lowest opponent number of the season for the Lady Argos.
The last few points of the final set saw a return to offensive form, with both teams trading points three times before a kill from junior right side hitter Mariah Diaz ended the game with her fifth kill of the match.
UGF had recovered from an early deficit in that third set to take a 23-20 lead. Closing things out would be more difficult than anticipated, however, after two straight aces for NWC. That three point mini rally was unsurprisingly ended by a kill from Marks.
While the senior middle blocker clearly became the focus of the UGF offense throughout the game, the team also saw a number of young role players step into starring roles. Sophomore outside hitter Maya Kiruluta was the team's second best offensive player next to Marks, putting in an almost flawless performance with 7 kills, and 0 errors, while also adding 2 block assists defensively.
On the defensive end, freshman defensive specialist Emily Stoker seemed to get the hang of the collegiate game, leading the team with 11 digs and 2 aces. She combined for 4 total digs, 0 aces, and 3 service errors in the team's previous two games.
Senior setter Bree Davis continued to prove she deserved an increased role this season, leading the team with 17 assists while added 3 kills, 0 errors, and 2 block assists.
The team will get little time to enjoy its first victory as they play #18 Southern Oregon at 5 p.m. MT later in the day. SOU will be the Lady Argo's fourth ranked opponent in as many days. They currently hold a record of 1-2.
