Poets drop two in Posada Royale Invite
Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Whittier College women's volleyball team got underway with their 2011 season in Thousand Oaks, Calif. as they played Pacific University (Ore.) and East Texas Baptist on Day 1 of the Posada Royale Invitational.
Game 1 (Pacific University)
23-25, 25-16, 25-17, 21-25, 10-15 (L 3-2)
In game one, the Poets came out with heavy hitting and were determined to get that first win of the season under their belts. The points and games kept going back and forth the entire match with no one team gaining an advantage.
The purple and gold were paced by sophomore Alayna Rigo who continued where she left off from last season as she put on a kills clinic with a game high 19 to help the Poets force a 5th and deciding game. But errors would be the Poets downfall as they fell behind quickly in Game No. 5 as they had eight errors that would end up costing them the game and the match.
Game 2 (East Texas Baptist)
22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 27-25 (L 3-1)
After a five game match, the Poets had to turn right back around to play East Texas Baptist and they continued to play hard as every game went the distance. It was a seesaw match yet again and the purple and gold got help from junior transfer Alyssa Sialaris who accounted for 20 kills, while junior Katie Lord dished out a team high 30 digs from the back row.
"This is the best team I have ever had here at Whittier College. There are a few kinks we need to work out but overall the team fought and we were in every game and every point. It easily could have been two wins today for us," Coach Oliver explained.
The Poets return to action as they take part in Day No. 2 of the Posada Royale Invitational where they will take on George Fox University beginning at 1:00pm and then Chapman University at 5:00pm.
For all the scores and recaps from Day 1 of the Posada Royal Invitational, go to:
http://www.clusports.com/pages/tournaments/2011VBPRInviteCentral.php
