IRVINE, Calif. – The Concordia University Irvine women's volleyball team dropped a four-set match to Vanguard (21-25, 25-15, 16-25, 17-25) despite hard efforts on the court. 

The Golden Eagles had great stretches throughout the match, especially in a dominant second set, but couldn't maintain consistency across all four sets. One key difference in the match was attack efficiency. CUI totaled 47 kills, just slightly behind Vanguard's 51, but the Golden Eagles hit .240 as a team compared to Vanguard's .279. That edge in execution made a big impact, particularly in the later sets when VU pulled away. 

Caitlin Jarrell delivered one of her most efficient hitting performances of her career, finishing with 11 kills on just 17 attempts, hitting .714. Her ability to terminate plays cleanly and consistently gave the Green and Gold a boost throughout the match, especially during their dominant second-set win. Jarrell also contributed defensively at the net with two blocks, showing her versatility as a front-row presence. Her near errorless performance had a big impact on the Golden Eagles and showcased her values as a high-efficiency option in the offense. 

Kayden Croy recorded an impressive double-double, finishing with 12 kills and 10 digs to lead CUI on both sides of the ball. Croy also added a block and totaled 13.5 points overall, leading the team in scoring. Her ability to contribute offensively while also covering ground in defense provided CUI with much-needed stability in transition. Croy's energy and two-way performance were crucial in keeping the Golden Eagles competitive throughout the match.