SANTA CRUZ, CALIF.—The Hamline University women's volleyball team squared off against George Fox and Willamette on day two of the UC Santa Cruz Tournament in Santa Cruz, California on Saturday. The Pipers couldn't maintain their momentum from Friday's season-opening win as they dropped a 3-0 (25-21, 29-27, 25-22) decision to George Fox, and a 3-1 (25-21, 30-23, 25-13, 25-9) score to Willamette.
The Pipers fall to 1-2 with the losses.
George Fox 3, Hamline 0 (25-21, 29-27, 25-22)
Both teams were nearly even in the kills department as George Fox had the slight edge at 45-40 for the match, but Hamline's 22 errors were too much to overcome in a three-set loss.
The Pipers had the upper hand in aces 9-5, as Elizabeth Lopata led the way with four followed by two apiece from Jenna Rubbelke and Lauren Wilborn. Lopata also tied for a team-leading eight kills with teammate Faith Johnson, while Jenna Rubbelke led the defense with 21 digs followed by 12 from Johnson.
Kaitlyn Kotek continued to prove herself as Hamline's primary setter with a game-high 32 assists and three blocks.
Willamette 3, Hamline 1 (25-21, 30-32, 25-13, 25-9)
The Bearcats offense fired on all cylinders, as they finished the match with a .208 hitting mark and held the Pipers to a .083 figure.
After a 25-21 loss in the opening frame, the second set belonged to Hamline 32-30 thanks to their 15 kills, and 17 total errors on the Bearcats. The Pipers couldn't generate any momentum from that solid performance with 25-13 and 25-9 losses in the final two sets.
Jenna Rubbelke tallied a team-leading 17 digs and three aces. Mandy Dierks also contributed three service aces for the Pipers. Elizabeth Lopata came through with a team-leading seven kills for Hamline, and Kaitlyn Kotek registered 21 assists. Lindsay Eckelman and Kennedy Tutak each notched three blocks.
Olivia Cadien came through with a game-high 22 kills for Willamette, while teammate Shyla Sato tallied 37 digs.
The Pipers will play tournament host UC Santa Cruz tomorrow, Sunday, September 3 at 1 p.m. (PT).
