LA MIRADA - Claire Smith became just the sixth Sea Lion to ever post a triple-double and the Point Loma volleyball team shook off a first-set loss before coming back with wins in each of the next three sets to defeat Biola on opening day, 16-25, 25-21, 25-23 and 25-17. (Mar. 17)
 
Claire Smith did a bit of everything on the court tonight for PLNU en route to recording the Sea Lions' first triple-double since Oct. 31, 2018. The sophomore had 10 kills, 12 digs, and 26 assists. She registered a .381 hitting percentage, and also had three blocks and three aces. She finished the contest with a match-best 14.5 points.
 
Smith also got some help from Torina Hommes who registered a match-best 12 kills with a .258 hitting percentage. She was just one kill off her career-high. Point Loma also received six kills apiece from Madie Fox and Rachael Schlect, while Anna Massari and Alexis Soncrant each chipped in with five. Schlect added three aces and Courtney Dyer posted a match-best 23 digs.
 
The Sea Lions also dominated on the serve and at the net. PLNU recorded 13 service aces in the match, compared to just three for the Biola. Point Loma also had the defense going as they blocked the Eagles 13 times (only five for Biola).
 
Point Loma dropped the first set 25-17 as it hit just .074 in the opener. The Sea Lions did not stay down for long as they bounced back to hit .256 and win the second set 25-21. In the third set, PLNU struggled with its offense, hitting just .154 with 11 kills, but they found a way to overcome Biola's .297 hitting percentage and win 25-23 thanks to six aces in the set. In the fourth, Point Loma jumped out to a 7-2 lead and the Eagles would never get closer than four points the rest of the way.
 
Team Records
Point Loma (1-0, 1-0 PacWest) Biola (0-2, 0-1 PacWest)
 
Words from coach Jonathan Scott
On Claire Smith's performance: "Claire is quite an athlete and we are asking her to do a lot of things in a lot of different roles. She has stepped into it quite quickly. She knows how to score and she is finding ways to find the court."
 
On the Sea Lions' serving: "It was a gradual change, to be honest. We started really poor both serving and passing. Our nerves were really high early, as expected, but as we settled in the focus and the clarity started to sharpen, especially serving."
 
On the defensive play at the net: "This is an area we have spent a lot of time in this COVID year. Coach Scott Hartley has had a huge role in changing some things with our blocking. We are definitely not where we want to be, but we did score quite a few points (at the net)."
 
On adjustment after the first set: "It really just came back to serving, passing and calming down. We didn't really make a lot of adjustments after the first set. Both us and Biola were playing with different lineups and see what type of chemistry we could create. It all just came down to focus."
 
On being back on the court: "It was quite uncomfortable, and I think that goes for everybody. It was weird and the nerves were significantly higher than any match I can remember being a part of. The energy was just different but just so great. We are just grateful for all that we get."
 
Scoring Summary
Set 1: PLNU 16, Biola 25
Set 2: PLNU 25, Biola 21
Set 3: PLNU 25, Biola 23
Set 4: PLNU 25, Biola 17
 
News and notes
> This was PLNU's first game back on the court since Nov. 23, 2019 (479 days)
> Cara Keturakis was the last Sea Lion to record a triple-double
> Keturakis posted five career triple-doubles. No other Sea Lion has posted more than one

Up Next
Point Loma will be at home next Wednesday (Mar. 24) for its first home match of the season. The Sea Lions will host Azusa Pacific at 5 p.m.