Caltech Women's Volleyball rifled off some impressive victories in 2024, including a season sweep of one of its SCIAC rivals as the program continues to progress.
The first home victory of the year came against West Coast Baptist University Sep.17 as part of a remarkable back-to-back set of 3-0 victories on consecutive days. The Beavers returned to the gym less than 18 hours later and swept Pacific Union College (25-13, 25-13, 25-13). First-year OH/OPP Brittany Rosario (San Juan, P.R. / San Juan Math, Science and Tech Center) led all attackers with an incredible 11 kills in each match. The midweek double marked the first time Caltech posted 3-0 victories in consecutive contests since 2022.
Rosario achieved her season high in kills with 13 against Occidental Oct. 26 leading the Beavers to a (25-20, 21-25, 25-23, 25-22, 15-4) victory. The win completed a season sweep of the Tigers that started with a 3-1 victory (27-25, 20-25, 26-24, 25-1) at Oxy Oct. 5.
First Year OH/OPP Andrea Li (Calgary, Canada / Sir Winston Churchill) patrolled the net with a career-high four blocks in the first victory against the Tigers. Sophomore OH Alize Bakker (Portland, Ore. / Westview) led all attackers with 12 kills at Occidental. Li led the Institute with 27 blocks on the season.
Caltech carried momentum into early November with an energized 3-1 victory (25-16, 25-22, 25-17, 26-24) over the Chapman Panthers at home Nov. 2. Bakker dominated the match, tying her career-high with a ridiculous 19 kills. No other attacker in the match had more than 11. She was enabled by 20 assists from junior setter Giulia Murgia (Iglesias, Italy / Istituto di Istruzione Superiore G. Asproni). First-year Karen Cao (North Potomac, Md. / Montgomery Blair) limited the Panthers' offensive chances with a career-high eight service aces.
Bakker and Rosario paced the Beaver offense with 220 and 176 kills on the season, respectively. Cao prevented opposing kills with 325 digs in her first collegiate season, ranking fifth among all SCIAC players. Murgia enabled the offense with a team-leading 342 assists.
With so many notable performers in their first or second season, the future of Caltech volleyball looks promising. The 2025 season schedule will be released later this summer.
