IRVINE, Calif. – After dropping a closely contested first set 27-29, Concordia University Irvine Women's volleyball rattled off three straight sets to top Jessup 3-1 on to secure its ninth conference win.
Ranked No. 23 in this week's AVCA Division II Coaches Poll, the Golden Eagles hold second place in the PacWest standings after the second win of the season over the Warriors after a 3-0 victory on the road.
The opening set went back and forth, with nine ties and five lead changes, before Jessup finally pulled out a 29-27 win. The Green and Gold struggled to find their swing, hitting just .083 with nine errors, but that was the last time the Warriors would lead in the match.
CUI capitalized with an efficient attack, hitting .394 in the second set to cruise to a 25-15 win, before closing out the match with 25-18 and 25-16 victories.
The Golden Eagles found a rhythm defensively, out-digging the Warriors 86-75. Libero
Halen Kiefer anchored the back row with a career-high 25 digs along with six assists. Defensive specialist
Celia Dowell served two aces to go with eight digs, helping CUI tally nine aces as a team.
Kayden Croy led the way with 15 kills on a .406 clip with only two errors on 32 swings.
Delaney Gregg hit a blistering .450 with 10 kills, just one kill shy of her season high.
The Golden Eagles improve to 16-4 overall, 9-2 in conference play and 9-1 at home this season.
CUI remains home for a quick turnaround, welcoming the Dominican Penguins on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 2 p.m.
CLICK HERE for the updated PacWest volleyball standings
CLICK HERE for the full CUI women's volleyball schedule
