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SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — The Dominican University of California women's volleyball team defeated UC Santa Cruz in four sets on Tuesday night in non-conference action, 25-13, 22-25, 25-15, and 25-19.
The Lady Penguins breezed through set one, thanks in part to the strong service of
Cayla Morphew that helped build an early 4-0 lead. Dominican held control the entire set and cruised to the 25-13 win.
In set two, Dominican again rode Morphew's service to a 3-0 lead. The Lady Penguins maintained a slight lead until the Banana Slugs caught up at point 16. From there the tempo turned, as UCSC took a 17-16 lead and extended the lead to as many as four points.
Gabby Pecora brought Dominican within 24-22 with a service ace but an enusing service error gave the match to the Banana Slugs.
Dominican built a five-point lead in set three at 11-6 after a pair of
Tianna Tuatagaloa service aces. The Lady Penguins extended the lead to 15-7 on the
Lorel Grande kill and 18-9 after a UCSC setting error. The Banana Slugs cut the lead to 21-14 but kills by
Ashlee Sand and Morphew opened the door for the set-winning service ace by LaShelle Rullan at 25-15.
UC Santa Cruz took the early 5-4 lead but Dominican roared back with an 8-3 run to take a 12-8 lead. The Dominican women placed kill after kill until two attack errors by the Banana Slugs gave Dominican the 25-19 win in set four and the match.
Pecora led all players with 17 kills for the Lady Penguins.
With the win, Dominican picks up its second straight victory and improves to 6-20. The Banana Slugs, who got the better of Dominican in a five-set thriller on Oct. 10, fall to 19-11.
The Lady Penguins travel to Utah to face conference opponent Dixie State College on Nov. 6 and 7.