ATHERTON -- Visiting Cal State Dominguez Hills outhit host Menlo College .163 to .083 in set three of tonight's California Collegiate Athletic Association match, but the Oaks rallied from four set points down to score the final six points of the frame and take the match, 25-20, 25-19, 26-24.
Jaidan Alexander (pictured) and
Ryann Bennett tied for match-high honors with nine kills each in the loss, dropping the Toros to 1-9 overall, and 1-2 in CCAA play.
Kylie Leopard added five kills in the match while
Jasmine Soto-Castro shined defensively, saving 10 balls.
Menlo jumped to a 10-3 lead in the opening set before the Toros rode the strong serve of
Lainey Johnson to climb to within two points at 12-10. The Oaks regrouped and pushed their lead to as much as five before taking the opening stanza, 25-20.
It was deja vu all over again in set two with the hosts racing to an 11-3 lead. The Toros bullied their way back to within three points behind a kill from
Natalia Walden-Schulz and an ace from
Keilyn Flores, and to within two at 20-18 on back-to-back aces from Leopard.
The Oaks, however, rolled off four-straight points for a 24-18 lead, putting a halt to a would-be Toro rally.
CSUDH was up to the task in set three, taking a 15-13 lead after a pair of Alexander hammers from
Giovannina De Sisto and Leopard assists.
The Toros held a 20-14 edge behind De Sisto's stellar serve and four Oak attack errors, pushing their lead to 24-20 on a
Rilee Graham kill.
Menlo, however, rolled off six straight to steal the set and sweep the Toros in their home opener.
CSUDHÂ takes on Cal State Monterey Bay tomorrow in Seaside, with first serve set for 5 pm.
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