Pioneer Women Defeat Menlo College at Home

The Pacific Union College women's volleyball team scored a big win by beating Menlo College, an NCAA division III team, in straight sets at Pacific Auditorium in Angwin on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

The Pioneers began the first set on a low note, giving up two points to Menlo due to sloppy defense. Immediately afterward, PUC exploded into a run featuring several kills by sophomore Emily Ziegler, forcing Menlo to call a time-out as the score rose to 10-2. The run ended at 12-2, and the set was shortly put away as junior Shannon Oliver performed a huge spike that sent shouts throughout the building. The PUC Pioneers won the first set, 15-3.

The coaching that Menlo received during the break gain an early 1-3 advantage. Menlo OH Vasa Faasolo set down several kills in the stretch, one that ended up outside the building itself. But the Pioneers eventually took charge and established a quick 9-3 lead due to several great serves by freshman April Hiroshima. They soon closed out the set at a 15-4 mark.

The final set saw the Pioneers take complete control of the game. They rallied to a 10-0 lead when Hiroshima decided to perform several jump-serves, hitting two aces. Pioneer Sarah Oliver, currently tied for first with Ziegler in the California Pacific more-more-more

Conference (CalPac) in blocks at 1.170 a game, helped out Hiroshima by blockingseveral returns of Menlo during the run. Oliver closed out the game with a solid spike into the ground, closing out the set at 15-0.

Emily Ziegler led the Pioneers in kills with 14. Both Hiroshima and junior Tricia Williams had 17 assists, while freshman Heidi Apuy chipped in 8 digs. Menlo DS Jenny Brady carried the load for her team with 4 kills and 39 TA (pass). Menlo College played the game with only six players to PUC's twelve.

The win improved PUC's record to 3-5 CalPac (7-7 overall). The Pioneers will play Dominican on a road game on Saturday night, Oct. 25.