FULLERTON, Calif. - The women's volleyball squad dropped both games today to begin play in the Summer Slam, falling to No.1 in the nation Northwestern and Oregon Tech in four sets.
Simpson jumped out to the early 8-4 lead by scoring six straight points and never relinquished the lead.
During the streak,
Mariah Napoleon,
Elizabeth Heath, and
Maggie Warden each posted a kill while
Ella Perry notched an ace.
Napoleon finished the first set strong as she recorded the final three kills to seal a 25-21 first set victory.
The Red Raiders returned the favor as they jumped out to the early 4-0 lead and pulled away as they scored five straight points to take the commanding 23-14 lead before taking the second set 25-18 on a kill by Jadyn Hofmeyer.
Simpson scored the first two points of the third set before the Red Raiders went on a crucial 14-2 run to take the 14-4 lead before closing out the third set 25-18 victory on three straight points as they took advantage of three Simpson miscues.
Northwestern continued to roll as they took the fourth set 25-11 to take the match in four-sets.
Mariah Napoleon had a big game as she led the team with 19 kills to go along with a .293 hitting percentage and six digs.
Brooke Sarahina and
Ella Perry each posted 16 assists while
Tiara Manns led the team with five aces.
Simpson falls to OIT in four-sets
The Red Hawks dropped the second game of the day as they played a thrilling first set. A kill by
Louise Oliveira and a Owls hitting error put the Red Hawks into set point territory. However, the Owls answered with three straight points on two huge kills by Steffini Goss and Alexa Gugliotta to take the 27-25 first set victory.
Simpson answered for eight straight points to begin the second set as Sarahina anchored the attack with five aces. The early lead proved to be the difference as the Red Hawks held on to the 25-22 second set victory on a double block by Warden and Oliveira.
The Hustlin' Owls jumped out to a 13-4 lead and never looked back as they took the third set 25-12.
The fourth set proved to be another thriller as they battled beyond the standard 25-point mark. An attack error by the Owls put the Red Hawks in the driver's seat as they held the 25-24 lead. But the Owls rallied for three straight points to take the 27-25 fourth set victory to take the match.
Napoleon continued her dominant day as she led the team with 15 kills to go along with a stellar .429 hitting percentage. Oliverira followed close behind with 13 kills to go along with a .333 hitting percentage and two blocks.
Sarahina anchored the setter spot as she notched 23 assists and five aces to go along with a team-high nine digs.
Be sure to stay up to date and follow us at @simpsonredhawks on Instagram, Facebook, and X.
