PUC Pioneers Face Tough Loss to Westcliff University in Four-Set Thriller

In a thrilling women's volleyball matchup that pitted the PUC Pioneers against the visiting Westcliff University Warriors, fans were treated to a captivating contest that showcased the resilience and determination of both teams. Although the Pioneers entered the match with a strong 2-0 conference record and an overall record of 4-2, Westcliff University proved to be a formidable opponent, ultimately securing a hard-fought victory in four sets.

A Glimpse of Victory

The PUC Pioneers got off to a promising start, claiming the first set with a score of 25-21. The set was led by the impressive performance of #01 Chelsea Tamayo, who played a pivotal role in securing the win. Tamayo delivered all three of her service aces during this set, providing the Pioneers with a crucial boost.

A Fierce Response

Westcliff University responded fiercely, capturing the second set with a score of 25-17. The PUC team, undeterred, fought valiantly in the third set, narrowly losing with a score of 25-22. The fourth set saw the Pioneers in a late-game lead, but an unfortunate head injury to Middle #14 Jaylee Mills shifted the momentum. Mills was sidelined for the remainder of the match but was thankfully cleared after the game. Despite their best efforts, PUC ultimately lost the set with a score of 25-23, giving Westcliff the match victory at 3-1. This marked PUC's first conference loss of the season.

Individual Brilliance Shines

While the team faced a tough loss, several individual players delivered standout performances:

• #1 Chelsea Tamayo demonstrated her skills with 20 assists and 4 digs, in addition to her three crucial service aces.

• #11 Ryin Le led the team with 23 assists and also contributed 10 digs and three service aces.

• Captain #7 Claire Harlan-Maghan showcased her versatility as a two-way player, leading the team with 13 digs and contributing 6 kills and a block.

• Libero #16 Olivia Newman exhibited her defensive prowess with 12 digs, further solidifying her role as a key defender.

• On the offensive front, Captain #10 Izzy Bandy led the team with 14 kills on an impressive .321 hitting percentage. Bandy also contributed 5 digs, 2 blocks, and 2 block assists.

• Freshman #3 Hannah Fritz showcased her all-around game with 9 kills and 9 digs.

• Freshman #14 Jaylee Mills recorded an impressive 7 kills before being sidelined.

Moving Forward

While the loss was a tough pill to swallow, the PUC Women's Volleyball team remains undeterred and determined to bounce back. Their upcoming schedule includes 2 away games, with the first against University of St. Katherines on September 15th at 5:00 PM. The Pioneers are poised to regroup and continue their journey in the competitive conference, aiming for further success as the season unfolds.