REDLANDS, Calif. (Sept. 10, 2022) - Caltech's volleyball program traveled to the inland empire to participate in an exhibition tournament hosted by the Bulldogs of the university of Redlands on Saturday. Neither game counts in the standings or impacts Caltech's overall record, but it did provide a fantastic opportunity for Head Coach Tom Gardner's young team to face a conference foe, as well as a competitive junior college program.

In the first match of the day, the Beavers took on the host Bulldogs with Caltech getting out to a quick start winning the first set 25-17. A five point service run by freshman Olivia Xu (Markham, Ontario, Canada St. Robert Catholic) helped propel Caltech in the middle part of the set to a 16-10 lead that they would not relinquish. A kill by freshman Alexis Herfurth (Sonora, Calif. / Sonora) from out of the middle and then a kill by junior setter Carolyn Lu (Saratoga, Calif. / The Harker School) led to a 23-16 lead that propelled the Beavers across the finish line on two consecutive errors by the Bulldogs.

In the second set, once again, Caltech was able to get off to a fairly significant lead but the score became tied At 9's, 10's, and 11's. But a six-point service run from the hands of junior libero Angel Wang (Colorado Springs, Colo. Pine Creek) pushed the Beavers lead out to 17-11 and then they were able to win the set after trading points, closing the set on back-to-back kills by freshman Sofia Parker (Palmdale, Calif.  William J. Pete Knight) and Lu to win 25-22, taking a 2 set to 0 lead.

After taking the first two sets, the third set began in the host Redlands favor as they pushed out their lead to 3-9. Caltech was able to work back into the set, eventually catching Redlands at 20 on a kill by freshman OH Marissa Till (Woodinville, Wash. / Woodinville). From there it was predominantly Redlands who took advantage of a tight match and eventually won the set 23–25.

Set 4 saw the Beavers and Bulldogs battle back-and-forth until the middle part of the set. A six-point service run by freshman Setter/DS Giulia Murgia (Iglesias, Italy /  Istituto di Istruzione Superiore G. Asproni) provided the spark and variance opening up a 13-10 lead for the Beavers. After a kill by Parker at 13-11, she proceeded to also turn her opportunity into service aces of her own from the service line.  This helped push the Caltech lead to 17-11 before Redlands was able to side out. The teams traded punches until on consecutive kills by senior middle Dallas Taylor (Phoenix, Ariz. / Saguaro) and Parker, the Beavers won the fourth set 25 to 20, and the match three sets to one. As an exhibition, the result does not get accounted for yet provides a good growth opportunity to learn about a conference foe.

Stat leaders from the match versus Redlands included Parker's 10 kills, as well as both Claire Perhach (Carlsbad, Calif. / Sage Creek) and Till, each contributing eight swings that scored points. As for hitting percentage, Perhach led the way at .280. Defensively, the Beavers were led by Wang who had 31 digs.  Lu and Murgia set the Beavers in the first match on Saturday with Lu having 21 assists and Murgia contributing 19 helpers. Zu had four of eleven service aces the Beavers recorded in the match, and the Beavers out hit the Bulldogs .156 to .104.

In the second match of the day the Beavers took on the Panthers of Chaffey College, winning in straight sets 25-19, 25-9, and 25-20 to close out the exhibition weekend.

For the match Caltech hit .173 while holding Chaffey to .084 on the afternoon. Caltech was dominant from the service line as they were credited with 17 service aces against only six service errors for the match. Leading the way offensively for the Beavers was Perhach with six kills. Junior setter Halle Blend (Farmers Branch, Texas / Hockaday) had five kills on 10 total attacks hitting .500 on the afternoon, while also distributing 23 assists and serving up three service aces.

Set one saw the Beavers get out to a fast start as they led Chaffey by five, 12-7 midway through the opener. A strong service run by Parker pushed the lead out to 18-10 as the Beavers then traded punches until the Panthers went on a run of their own to get the score within four at 22-18 Beavers. Caltech closed out the set behind the strong service of Wang and won at 25-19.

Set two saw Coach Gardner start three returning players along with three freshmen as the Beavers jumped all over the Panthers pushing out to a 13-3 lead on the strength of a Perhach kill. Strong service runs from Blend and Xu propelled Caltech to the insurmountable lead. Strong additional service runs by Murgia and Herfurth put the Beavers in a position to close out the set which they did behind the strong serves of Perhach, Caltech winning 25–9.

Onto the third set, the Panthers and Beavers traded points early with the Panthers taking their first lead of the day at 6-8 on a service ace against Caltech. Chaffey's lead was short-lived, however, as Caltech caught Chaffey at 12-12 and then surpassed them on a service run by Murgia, and then closed out the set on a service run from Wang, ending the set and match at 25–20.

The Beavers are back in action on Tuesday, September 13 when they travel to the University of Antelope Valley to take on the Pioneers.  Game time is set for 7:15 pm.

To follow the Beavers volleyball program throughout the season, please go to www.GoCaltech.com.