PASADENA, Calif. (Oct. 8, 2021) - In a seesaw affair between two SCIAC foes with comparable season and conference records, sophomore setter Halle Blend (Farmers Branch, Texas / Hockaday) led the Beavers attack and provided significant defensive support over five sets on Friday evening in Braun Gymnasium.

 

While distributing 49 assists, Blend also contributed a new career-high six kills, four aces, 20 digs and a block assist. Her ability to keep the Beavers' attack unpredictable with several second-touch attacks caught the Leopards on their heels throughout the night and should lead to an increased number of one-on-one opportunities for front row attackers as the season progresses. Senior Allison Noyes (Falmouth, Maine/Falmouth) paced the Beavers with 14 kills on just 31 swings, while classmate Isabell Tang (Arcadia, Calif. / Arcadia) contributed 13 kills on an match-high 51 total attacks.  

 

In a tightly fought opening set that went overscore, with Caltech succumbing 24-26, the Beavers had their chances to claim the early match lead. Solid play on both sides of the net was the theme throughout the evening that ended in a narrow defeat for the Beavers. With the Leopards winning the odd-numbered sets and the Beavers controlling sets two and four, this back-and-forth match was close throughout. Caltech valiantly tried to overcome a slow start in set five, ultimately coming up short at 12-15 despite a late rally to steal momentum.

 

Senior libero Megan Wang (Henderson, Nevada / Advanced Technologies Academy) anchored the Beavers backline, providing 29 digs on the evening, while offensively contributing two of the Beavers' nine service aces for the match. Sophomore Claire Perhach (Carlsbad, Calif. / Sage Creek) and senior Sydney Richardson (Granite Bay, Calif. / Roseville) each played a strong match in the front row, with Perhach contributing 10 kills on 36 swings and Richardson recording six kills on 35 attacks. Sophomore Gabriella Twombly (Weston, Fla. / Archbishop McCarthy) also impressed in just two sets of action, notching four kills on only five attacks in the fourth set alone.

 

Head Coach Tom Gardner and the Beavers will look to take down California Lutheran University on Saturday night as the team travels to Thousand Oaks in search of its second SCIAC win.