SAN DIMAS, Calif. (Sept. 3, 2022) - At the start of each sport's season comes the excitement, enthusiasm and optimism that matches the uncertainty of the moment.  Each team starts with an unblemished record, with many blending in new faces, playing in new places.  Never was this truer than the lineup that Head Coach Tom Gardner sent on to the floor to represent Caltech in their first two matches of the season, hosted at LIFE Pacific University.  

 

Coming off the most successful year in the program's history in which the Beavers won more SCIAC matches, six, then they had won combined since Caltech began sponsoring the sport, the Beavers faced their NAIA host Warriors, with a starting lineup featuring four freshmen.  First years, OH Marissa Till (Woodinville, Wash. / Woodenville), S/DS Julia Murgia (Iglesias, Italy / Instituto di Instruzione Superiore G. Asproni), OH Sophia Parker (Palmdale, Calif. / William J. Pete Wright), and MB/OH Alexis Herfurth (Sonora, Calif. / Sonora) all found their way on to the court for the first serve of the season, and the first of their college careers.  Anchored by seasoned veteran MB Dallas Taylor (Phoenix, Ariz. / Saguaro) and S Halle Blend (Farmers Branch, Texas / Hockaday), the Beavers were challenged early but clawed their way back into the first set before being bested by the Warriors (19-25, 15-25, and 10-25)

 

Parker led the way for Caltech with 29 attacks in the match, and her four kills equaled Taylor's total against a strong LIFE Pacific block.  Taylor hit .214 to lead the Beavers in hitting percentage, while Blend dished out 12 assists.  Junior libero Angel Wang (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Pine Creek) anchored the back row defensively with 10 digs, keeping the Beavers alive in several plays.  

 

In spite of the early defeat, Gardner's group had an afternoon match to play. "We showed our youth and are having some growing pains," said Gardner. "But I saw quite a few things to build on and we will get stronger in the next couple of weeks as conference play approaches." Taking on the Eagles of West Coast Baptist College from Lancaster, Calif., Caltech was committed to getting additional experience for the freshmen, and they delivered in dominant fashion, taking the second match of the day and season (25-7, 25=11 and 25-8).  OH Olivia Xu, (Markham, Ontario, Canada / St. Robert Catholic) showed her promise in the second match, as she was a co-leader in kills with fellow first years Till and Parker.  But it was Parker who led the Beavers hitting effort versus the Eagles, committing only one error on 11 attacks, finding the floor for seven kills and a team leading .545 hitting percentage.  Fellow freshman Muglia set the ball extremely well, leading the way in assists with 18 in the three set match.  Wang was once again the defensive stalwart with 9 digs, but also led the defensive transition efforts with 5 assists.   

 

The Beavers (1-1, 0-0 SCIAC) are back in action on Monday, September 5 when the Beavers travel across town to take on the Sea Beggars of Providence Christian College.  The first serve is set for 6:00 pm.  

 

Follow the Beavers volleyball program, and all Caltech Athletics, throughout the year at www.gocaltech.com.