By Beth Renkoski

10/27/09

Lancers Let Loose on Lions

Riverside, Calif. – Playing one of the top two teams in the NAIA for the second match in a row, the Vanguard Lions were overpowered this evening in Riverside. Taking on second-ranked California Baptist University, the Lions were shut out 3-0, losing by the scores of 25-15, 25-18, and 25-11. It took just over one hour for the No. 2 Lancers to complete the sweep over the No. 10 Lions, avenging a 3-2 loss at Vanguard University just over one month ago.

The hosts never trailed in the first set, jumping out to a 6-2 lead over the Lions on a kill by Fei Shi. The Lancers stretched the lead to ten points midway through the set and powered their way to the 25-15 victory with a .323 attacking percentage.

Although Vanguard took the first lead of the second set on a kill by senior Heather DeJongh, the Lions’ edge was short-lived as the Lancers responded with three straight points. The Lions tied the score 6-6 on a block by Candace Cedarstrom and Meghan Walsh, but CBU answered with a seven-point run to break the set wide open. Trailing by eight points, 18-10, the Lions would crawl to within three points (20-17) before the Lancers registered the 25-18 win for a 2-0 lead in the match.

Despite taking a 2-0 lead in the third and final set, the Lions found themselves trailing 14-5 after six and seven-point sprees by the Lancers. Committing seven attacking errors in the frame, the Lions were soon the victim of a 25-11 decision to end the match.

CBU’s Noelle Dyk and Ingrid Carmona led all players with 11 and 10 kills, respectively, while the Lancer setting duo of Krista Hasemeyer and Danielle Sargent combined for 30 assists. CBU improves to 23-2 overall and 13-2 in GSAC.

Sophomore Jamie Heenan led the Lions with seven kills and Walsh had 14 of Vanguard’s 18 assists. The Lions, who had a .024 attacking percentage for the match, also had five serving errors and six receiving errors in the three-set loss. Vanguard drops to 15-9 overall and 9-6 in GSAC with five regular season matches to play.

The Lions return to the court Saturday evening when they host No. 5-ranked Azusa Pacific at 7:00 p.m. at The Pit in Costa Mesa.

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