CLU Sweeps Pair to Open Weekend

Regals stretch win streak to double digits

Friday, Oct. 14, 2011 9:00 pm

Lesley Smith put down 11 kills during Friday's action inside Gilbert Arena.
Credit: Scott Chisholm Hi-res image

Release by Scott Chisholm (CLU Sports Information)

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Cal Lutheran opened its host Posada Royale Fall Classic with a pair of Friday sweeps over Mary Washington and Rhodes. The Regals extended their win streak to 10 matches and face two more out of state opponents on Saturday.

Box Score: CLU 3, UMW 0 - F
Box Score: CLU 3, RC 0 - F

Cal Lutheran 3, Mary Washington 0 - F
Mary Washington put on a solid performance in its previous match by sweeping Redlands and not allowing the Bulldogs to score more than 12 points in any of the three sets. The victory ended a four-match losing streak before facing a Regals squad that had won its previous eight contests.

Cal Lutheran cruised to a 25-13 opening set win behind 15 kills to only five for the Eagles. The Regals led comfortably throughout the second frame taking the set 25-16 before holding off a late comeback attempt in the third to complete the sweep 25-20.

Shannon Pearson and Kylie McLogan combined for 22 kills and a .450 hitting percentage to lead the offensive attack. Pearson collected her 10 kills on only 16 attempts and hit .500 for the match.

McLogan finished with a double-double featuring 12 kills and 13 digs to lead the Regals in both categories. She has led the team in kills in each of the past six matches.

Junior Jackie Russell dished out her 31 assists evenly between teammates with Rachel Smith collecting nine kills and Casy McWhirk contributing eight.

UMW's Tola Adebanjo had nearly half of the team's kills putting down 11-of-26 by the Eagles.

Cal Lutheran 3, Rhodes 0 - F
The Regals had several different players provide highlight performances that were needed to sweep the Lynx to conclude Friday's action.

In the opening set it was Lesley Smith who was perfect connecting for kills on all five attempts. McLogan supplied a team-high seven kills on only 10 swings as Cal Lutheran cruised comfortably to a 25-14 win.

The second set featured Rachel Smith's six kills and another five from Lauren Rohach as CLU led throughout a majority of the second set. Following a 25-21 second set victory the Regals had amassed 34 kills to only 15 for the Lynx.

Rohach continued her strong play into the third set collecting four of her 10 kills in the third frame. Unfortunately the Regals offense fizzled in the third as she was the only player to put down multiple kills.

Both teams struggled offensively in the third set with Rhodes pulling out to an 18-13 lead. Coming out of a CLU timeout the Regals rallied to take the lead at 21-20 and held on for a 25-22 match-clinching win.

Russell completed her double-double with 33 assists and 13 digs. She also led the team with four aces. CLU libero Jacki Richards led the Regals with 16 digs while Rhodes' Maraia Tremarelli led all players with 22.

Cal Lutheran (17-4) will face Lycoming and Widener on Saturday, Oct. 15, to conclude the weekend event.