Box Score
SAN DIEGO - The Point Loma volleyball team made it two-for-two as they defeated Montana State Billings 25-16, 25-13 and 25-21 to pick up two wins on the opening day of the Seaside Invitational (Sept. 6).
The Sea Lions carried their momentum from the first match into the second as they posted better team numbers across the board. Their defense limited the Yellowjackets to just 25 kills in the three sets while forcing 20 errors for a .047 hitting percentage. Meanwhile PLNU hit .333 with 42 kills and just 11 errors.
"I was very happy with our second performance today," said PLNU head coach Sarah Gustin. "The first match was us getting out a lot of nerves but the second was us playing our game and our system. It was nice that we could execute the things we'd been working on in practice."
Alyssa Dwyer and
Savannah Wedemeyer led the offensive assault for Point Loma. Dwyer hit .556 with no errors and 10 kills. Wedemeyer dished out 35 assists and also added two kills.
"Alyssa is a physical and emotional presence when she is on the floor," explained Gustin. "She had a hard time connecting with Savannah in the first match but they obviously worked out those kinks because she was putting balls down at the 10-foot line in the second match compared to just random kills in the first. We are happy that we are getting to see her return to her All-American status and we are hoping to see more of that in the future."
Delaney McCraney also had a huge match for the Sea Lions with a team-leading 11 kills and a .450 hitting percentage. She also added 10 digs to post a double-double.
"We have focused a lot on our serving and passing," Gustin continued. "If we can get a good pass and be in the system we have many weapons. We don't have a weak link offensively so if we are in system we can set it anywhere to get a kill. I think the focus on the serving and passing is what has really helped our offensive numbers."
Chelsey Walter had nine kills to pace MSU Billings.
The Point Loma volleyball team will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 11:00 a.m. The Sea Lions will face a tough test as they take on Cal State Dominguez Hills, who also went 2-0 on the first day of the Seaside Invitational, in the first match of the day before closing out the tournament against Texas A&M International at 7:00 p.m.
