OBERLIN, Ohio — The Caltech volleyball team defeated Saint Vincent College in straight sets on Friday as the two teams competed at the annual Oberlin Invitational. It was a commanding 25-12, 25-19, 25-19 performance for the Beavers, who picked up their second win in three matches.

Caltech played strongly in all three sets, not allowing the Bearcats to take the lead at any point in the match.

Senior OH/opposite Claire Perhach set the tone in the very first point of the opening set after connecting for a kill, kicking off an incredible 13-4 run for the squad and forcing the Bearcats to call their first timeout.

Saint Vincent returned from the break with five straight points of their own to make the score 13-9, but Caltech responded right back with four straight points thanks to three kills from sophomore OH Sophia Parker and two opponent errors. The Beavers closed the set on a 7-2 run to grab the first set victory, 25-12.

Set 2 began with some more strong play from the Beavers, though they again played their best volleyball in the set's closing points. With Caltech on top 18-17, the group closed on another 7-2 run to grab the second set, 25-19.

With the third set came yet another third late-set run for the Beavers, who at 15-13 posted a 9-3 run to put themselves at match point. Senior setter Halle Blend played a major role in the run, assisting on three points; the veteran would record nine total in the third set. With Caltech one point away from victory, Saint Vincent would score several points before the Beavers forced an opponent error to earn the 25-19 victory and three-set sweep.

Perhach led all players with a season-high 14 kills and a career-high three aces. The Carlsbad native ended the match with an exceptional .636 hitting percentage; she tied her career high in blocks, with four.

Blend led the way in assists with 20, followed closely behind by sophomore setter/DS Giulia Murgia who assisted on 14 points. First-year Celine Wu stabilized the group at the libero spot, coming up with 12 digs and 18 receptions with just three reception errors. Parker logged nine kills while sophomore OH Marissa Till had seven.

Caltech outplayed its opponents in kills (40 to 25), assists (38 to 22), aces (10 to seven), total blocks (8.0 to 2.0) and hitting percentage (.303 to .084). The team's eight blocks -- accomplished in just three sets -- is a season-high, as is their .303 hitting percentage which comes in as the program's third-highest percentage in the last two years.

The Institute competed against Saint Vincent after falling to the College of Wooster in the first match of the tournament Friday morning. The Beavers won the first set 25-13 before narrowly dropping the final three (25-23, 25-20, 25-19).

Parker led all players in the match in kills (12); Blend recorded 21 assists.

The group will take a brief rest before they face hosts Oberlin College this Saturday in the final match of the invitational tournament. Action is schedule to begin at 11 a.m. PT (2:00 p.m. ET) and can be watched live via the Oberlin Sports Network.

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