Box Score

LOS ANGELES – Cal State L.A.'s women's volleyball team was unable to complete a perfect time in the Southern California Classic.

 

The Golden Eagles were able to overcome an early deficit to force a fifth and deciding set, but came up short against No. 23 Western Washington, 25-18, 23-25, 25-21, 20-25, 15-12, Saturday night in the Eagles Nest. No. 20 Cal State L.A. finished with a 2-1 record in the tourney, while Western Washington was 3-1.

 

Gabriela Bulawczyk had a big match for the Golden Eagles, recording a career high with 29 kills. The returning AVCA All-American took 67 swings and hit at a .358 percentage. She also had 19 digs and two blocks.

 

Chelsea Hamilton had 13 kills and 13 digs for the Golden Eagles, while Marquis Mora had eight kills and four blocks.

 

Western Washington was led by Marlayna Geary, who had 23 kills and 12 digs. Megan Amudson had 14 kills and Emily Jepsen had 11 kills and four blocks.

 

Cal State L.A. had a 67-64 edge in kills, but Western Washington had an 8-7 advantage in blocks and a 9-2 edge in service aces. Both teams had eight service errors.

 

Stefanie Gay had a match-high 25 digs for the Golden Eagles, while Kaylynne De La Rosa had 49 set assists, nine digs and two blocks. Annie Kim had six kills and 13 digs.

 

The Golden Eagles fell behind early and dropped the first set, 25-18. Cal State L.A. was in danger of dropping the second set as well, but rallied from a 19-17 deficit and eventually capturing the second set after a kill by Bulawczyk and a block by Kassie Faulkner and Kim.

 

Western Washington took command early in the third set, jumping out to a quick 10-3 lead and never looking back. An ace by Kim, a kill by Bulawczyk and a kill by Mora brought the Golden Eagles to within 20-17, but Western Washington responded with a kill by Geary, a block by Geary and Bailey Jones and an attack error to regain control.

 

The Golden Eagles, though, forced a fifth set with a strong effort in the fourth. Cal State L.A. rallied from an early 8-5 deficit and used a 15-6 run to grab a 20-14 edge. A kill by Hamilton got the Golden Eagles to set point and Mora sent the match to a fifth set with a kill.

 

The fifth set was tight throughout. After back-to-back kills by Bulawczyk gave the Golden Eagles a 9-7 edge, Western Washington scored the next three points. Cal State L.A. tied it at 10-10 after a service error, but consecutive kills by Kathryn Mertens gave the Vikings the lead for good. A kill by Amundson ended the match.

 

Cal State L.A. will return to action next Friday in the UC San Diego Invitational where the Golden Eagles will play four matches in two days.