The University of Redlands volleyball team embarked upon the 2015 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) season with Tuesday's match against Pomona-Pitzer Colleges in Currier Gym.  While facing an undefeated Sagehen squad, the Bulldogs racked up 11 blocks in a quality defensive effort but came up short in four sets by scores of 20-25, 25-21, 14-25, 18-25. 

Redlands jumped out to an early 5-0 lead to start the match, as junior defensive specialist Alex Michel (Loma Linda, CA) rattled the Sagehens into an unproductive offense that included three immediate errors. 

However, Pomona-Pitzer quickly turned the tables on the Maroon and Gray by working to take its first lead of the match at 11-10.

But Redlands' front row answered right back by stepping up with a brick wall along the net.  Sophomore middle blocker Kiersten Langerud (Williamsburg, VA) and senior right-side attacker Kimberly Nevarez (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) joined forces for the block, before Langerud teamed up with senior setter Lauren Ellingwood (Kirkland, WA) on the other end of the net for the Bulldogs' 13-11 lead.

Nonetheless, Pomona-Pitzer forced Redlands into consecutive errors, as Julie Zwaal found hardwood for a pair of key kills, which created enough of a lead and the momentum to win the first set.

During the second stanza, the Bulldogs strung together quality points to break a six-all tie and remain ahead for the victory.  An ace by junior setter Ellie McLeod (Redlands, CA) initiated the early-game rally for the Maroon and Gray, before freshman outside hitter Kaylee Burdick (Sun Valley, CA) and sophomore outside hitter Kailee McCoy (Chandler, AZ) tag-teamed in the front row for important kills. Redlands stayed ahead for the duration of the second-set win, with sophomore libero Abby Hickman (Phoenix, AZ) sealing the deal with an ace on the final point.

Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, their momentum slowed in the subsequent sets, as early errors and slight deficits proved to be too much to overcome.

Highlighting the third and fourth frames, Langerud and McLeod impressed at the net with three blocks, while senior middle blocker Ashton Martin (Redlands, CA) joined the blocking crew by tallying two of her five block assists. 

Offensively, Burdick led the Bulldogs with a .385 hitting percentage, which came off of 13 kills.  Langerud and McCoy backed her with seven and six kills, respectively.  McLeod distributed 23 assists, and senior defenisve specialist Karly Burningham (Sonoma, CA) registered 10 digs.

For Pomona-Pitzer (5-0, 1-0 SCIAC), Zwaal and Stephanie Sun provided 14 and 18 kills, respectively.  Jessica Finn dished out 33 assists, while Michelle Schultz supplied a match-high 23 digs.

Redlands (3-4, 0-1 SCIAC) takes on Occidental College in SCIAC action on Friday, September 19, at 7:30 p.m. in Currier Gym.