PASADENA, Calif. — The Caltech volleyball team faced off against Pacific Union College and came out victorious in a dominant performance, earning back-to-back straight-set wins after Tuesday night's sweep of West Coast Baptist College.
The Beavers delivered another outstanding performance for the second in a row at home, winning all three sets of the match with identical scores of 25-13.
Pacific Union got out to an early lead of 6-4 in the first set, but Caltech went on a 6-0 run to claim a 10-6 lead and force the Pioneers to take an early timeout. Sophomore outside hitter Alize Bakker (Portland, Ore. / Westview) and first-year outside hitter and opposite Brittany Rosario (San Juan, Pr / Saun Juan Math, Science and Tech Center) tallied a kill each during the Beavers' run.
The Pioneers ended the drought with one point, but the Beavers kept their feet on the gas with another 8-0 surge. Rosario picked up another two kills along with an individual kill from first-year middle blocker and outside hitter Noelle Wilkinson (Bentonville, Ark. / Thaden School), first-year outside hitter and opposite Andrea Li (Calgary, Alb. / Sir Winston Churchill), and first-year setter Lana Saopraseuth (Vancouver, Wash. / Union HS). Li and Rosario both accounted for a block assist as well.
Caltech's momentum carried into the second set as they took the first four rallies with two more kills coming from Rosario and a service ace from junior setter Giulia Murgia (Iglesias, Italy / Istituto di Istruzione Superiore G. Asproni). The Beavers chalked three service aces and 12 kills and led the entirety of the second set.
The third and final set was another display of Caltech mastery. The Beavers jumped out to a 9-4 lead after another dynamic 4-0 run, and the squad finished with 66 digs and 44 kills on the day. They added three total blocks and five service aces to the all-around excellent team performance.
Roasrio led the team with 11 kills and sophomore libero Celine Wu (Potomoc, Md. / Montgomery Blair) led in digs finishing with 17.
"The team played with a fluidity today that we have been working towards but hadn't seen in a complete match," said Head Coach Tom Gardner on the victory. "We had great contributions from the entire roster in a solid program win."
Caltech looks to continue its winning ways in a battle with UC Merced on Saturday, Sep. 21 at 1:30 p.m., followed by a 4 p.m. tilt against Providence Christian College, both matches taking place at Braun Gymnasium. Cheer on the Beavers in person or follow along online at GoCaltech.com/coverage.
Follow Caltech Volleyball on Instagram and follow Caltech Athletics on Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram.
