[Box score]
SAN DIEGO—Point Loma rallied back from a 2-0 deficit but Cal State Dominguez Hills had the final word in the last match of 12 in the two-day Seaside Invitational, sponsored by Bartell Hotels.
The Toros edged their hosts 25-20, 25-23, 23-25, 22-25, 15-9 in a dramatic finish to the tournament, which was played in the pre-determined format. The Sea Lions finished the tournament with a 1-3 mark and are also 1-3 on the season. The Toros, who also opened their 2012 campaign here, are now 2-2 on the year after finishing with just one win a year ago.
PLNU's
Delaney McCraney had a career-high 29 kills and senior
Nicole Eiler added a career-best 32 digs to lead a Point Loma comeback that came up just short.
The hosts rushed out to a 13-5 lead in the first set but the Toros soon reeled off eight straight points to tie the contest. The visitors broke out to a 20-17 margin from there and never trailed again in notching the first set, 25-20.
In set two, it was PLNU's time to rally. After trailing 15-8, the Sea Lions rallied back to take a 20-18 lead before both squads traded margins over the final points of the set. Ultimately, a PLNU service error gave the Toros a 25-23 margin.
In the third set, neither team ever led by more than three points in a back-and-forth tussle. From 13-13 to 20-20, the teams alternated points. Still tied at 22-22 and 23-23, PLNU had the first chance at set point at 24-23 and converted on a McCraney put-away (25-23).
Point Loma held a slight lead throughout set four, holding off the Toros 25-22 to set up the finale. In the fifth, Cal State Dominguez Hills led from start to finish after rolling out to a 5-2 lead early. The closest PLNU would get to the Toros was at 11-8, but CSDH would score four of the final five points to close things out.
Kelli LeClair added 15 kills to the Point Loma attack, while Brianna Veith had 20 digs on the defensive side. McKensey Wise had seven blocks.
For the Toros, Elizabeth Krieger led a balanced attack with 14 kills, while Delea Pursel and Whitney Lee had 13 kills each. Korryne Kelley had a gritty 36 digs in the contest.
The Sea Lions will hit the road next Thursday through Saturday for a split tournament at Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State LA. First match is set for Thursday at 7 pm against Cal Poly Pomona.
