The University of Redlands volleyball team moved into a tie for first place in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) with last night's 3-1 victory over Occidental College in Eagle Rock. The Bulldogs (8-3, 3-1 SCIAC) pushed past a much improved Tiger team by scores of 25-21, 21-25, 25-20, 25-7.

Junior outside hitter Jackie Hamilton (Loma Linda, CA) led the way with 16 kills, while junior middle blocker Megan Phillips (Vista, CA) knocked down 14 kills to round out the Bulldogs' double-digit attackers. Senior setter Kelina Smith (Kurtistown, HI) continued to effectively distribute the ball by racking up 40 assists. As a team, the Bulldogs protected the net well by accumulating 10.5 total blocks.

Following the Maroon and Gray's win over Occidental and Cal Lutheran University's loss to Pomona-Pitzer Colleges, Redlands sits in a three-way tie for first place in the SCIAC. The Bulldogs, Regals and Leopards of the University of La Verne all have one loss apiece.

Redlands remains on the road with a 7 p.m. match at La Sierra University on Thursday, followed by a conference match against the Beavers of Caltech on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Bulldogs return home on Saturday for a 2 p.m. showdown with the Poets of Whittier College.