IRVINE, Calif. (Sept. 7, 2022) - The volleyball team earned a few more frequent flyer miles as they once again found themselves on the road on Wednesday as they travelled to Irvine to take on the Westcliff University Warriors.

 

Three veterans and three first years again started the first set for the Beavers who quickly found themselves down against their NAIA opponents. Trying to catch up with Westcliff the entire set, Caltech would get no closer than eight points at 14-22 as the Beavers were closed out of the first set 15-25.

 

In the second set Caltech stayed closer to their hosts getting within 16-18 just after the midway point of the second set. Led by kill leader Claire Perhach (Carlsbad, Calif. / Sage Hill), the Beavers got within a point on one of her kills, only to draw even at 23 on the next play and her next winner.  Needing two points to claim the second set and level the match at a set a piece, Caltech couldn't fend off Westcliff who claimed the next two points and walked away with the 23-25 set victory. 

 

Set three found Caltech in a must-win position in order to extend the match.  After tying the set at 3-3, an opposing player went on a five-point service run, to give the hosts some breathing room.  The Beavers fought to get back in the match, but eventually succumbed to the Warriors, allowing the same player who had the service run at the beginning of the set to close things out on a six-point run, five of the points coming on service aces against the Caltech serve receive.  With the loss in set three, the Beavers fell on the night in straight sets 0-3, on scores of (15-25, 23-25, and 12-25).  The result places the Beavers at 2-2 on the season, 0-0 (SCIAC).

 

Overall, the Beavers were led by Perhach's 12 kills on 35 total attacks. Her hitting percentage of .229 was impressive.  Sophomore setter, Halle Blend (Farmers Brach, Texas / Hockaday) contributed 26 assists on the evening and added three kills of her own. Freshman Alexis Herfurth (Sonora, Calif. / Sonora) had six kills on the night on nine swings with zero errors for a .667 hitting percentage, leading the Beavers in that category. Once again it was junior libero, Angel Wang (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Pine Creek), who led the club defensively with 16 digs and added four assists as the Beavers transitioned from defense to offense.  

 

The Beavers are back in action on Saturday, September 10 at 10:00 AM PDT when they travel to the University of Redlands to take on the Bulldogs.  This matchup, while played against a SCIAC foe and in their gym, is not considered a conference matchup for standings purposes.

 

To follow the Beavers volleyball program throughout the season, as well as all other Caltech Athletics programs, please visit www.gocaltech.com.