Boxers Take Two Five-Set Matches At Posada Royale Tourney
Pacific/Whittier Box Score |
Pacific/Pomona-Pitzer Box Score
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Pacific's strong start to the 2011 volleyball season continued Friday as the Boxers took a pair of five-set matches on the first day of the Cal Lutheran Posada Royale Tournament, held at Gilbert Arena.
The Boxers (5-2) rebounded from a two sets to one deficit to take the final two sets in convincing fashion to beat Whittier, 25-23, 16-25, 17-25, 25-21, 15-10. Pacific was in the opposite position in their second match, going up two sets before Pomona-Pitzer took the next two. The Boxers escaped a close five set to win 25-19, 26-24, 25-27, 15-25, 15-13.
Keahi Braginsky-Ahloo (So., Wahiawa, Hawaii) had a huge match for the Boxers against Whittier, finishing with a double-double of 20 kills and 16 digs. She led a strong Pacific hitting attack that saw the Boxers finish with a .268 percentaage.
Alexa Block (So., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) also had a double-double of 19 kills and 22 digs, while
Mariah McHolland (So., Renton, Wash.) had 14 kills and three blocks. Gabrielle Vega (Fr., Olympia, Wash.) added a double-double of 45 assists and 16 digs while
Jade Thompson (Jr., Marysville, Wash.) finished with 29 digs. Six of the 11 Pacific players to take the floor finished with double-figure digs in the match. Alayna Rigo led Whittier (0-1) with 19 kills.
Against Pomona-Pitzer (2-3), the Boxers had to struggle through some very close sets to take the win. The second set went extra points, with the Boxers pulling away from a 24-24 tie for the win. The third set also went extra points before the Sagehens took the 27-25 win and then took a convincing 25-15 fourth set win in a fourth set where the Boxers hit -.094 as a team. Pacific came back to take the fifth and deciding set.
Block led the way for Pacific against Pomona-Pitzer, finishing with 18 kills as the Boxers finished with a .151 hitting percentage. Braginsky-Ahloo added 12 kills while
Kelsy Takashima (Sr., Kaunakakai, Hawaii) had 12 kills and five blocks. Vega had a double-double of 46 assists and 21 digs while Thompson added 23 digs.
The Boxers wrap up their southern California trip on Saturday. They continue their action at the Posada Royale Tournament against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and East Texas Baptist.
