IRVINE — For the third straight match — and the sixth time this season — Cal State LA volleyball falls victim to a nationally ranked opponent. Wednesday night, it was the No. 22 Concordia Irvine taking a four-set win over the Golden Eagles.
Cal State LA bounced back to win the third set before CUI closed out a four-set victory Wednesday at CU Arena. Concordia prevailed by scores of 25-14, 25-20, 19-25 and 25-18. Cal State LA dropped to 3-11 overall, while Concordia improved to 13-2.
Over the course of the last three matches, LA has dropped to #14 Cal Poly Pomona, #9 Cal State San Bernardino and now #22 Concordia. Earlier this season LA had lost to three GNAC teams in a preseason tournament all ranked in the AVCA Top 25 at the time. The Golden Eagles will host No. 10 Cal Poly Pomona this Saturday at 5 p.m.
Samarah DaCoud led Cal State LA with 13 kills and 12 digs for a double-double Wednesday at CUI. She also contributed one service ace and one block assist.
Anaiya Cooper delivered an efficient performance with 11 kills and only four errors on 23 attacks for a .304 hitting percentage.
Ruby Ennis handed out a team-high 23 assists while adding three service aces, four digs, two kills and two block assists. Havannah Vogel recorded three kills without an error, hit .333 and led the Golden Eagles with five block assists.
Finley Charapata collected eight digs, two kills, one ace and one block assist. Kylie Grundman added eight digs, while Seriah Demski finished with five assists and one ace.
Concordia started quickly, recording 15 kills and hitting .423 in the opening set. Cal State LA was held to five kills as the hosts took the frame, 25-14.
The second set was much more competitive, featuring nine ties and five lead changes. The Golden Eagles produced 10 kills and hit .156, but Concordia committed only two attacking errors and secured a 25-20 win.
Cal State LA responded in the third set. The Golden Eagles held Concordia to a .093 hitting percentage and took advantage of nine CUI attacking errors to earn a 25-19 victory.
Concordia regained control in the fourth set, using 12 kills and a .207 hitting percentage to close out the match, 25-18.Cal State LA held an 8-6 advantage in service aces and totaled six blocks. Concordia finished with 53 kills and a .256 hitting percentage, while the Golden Eagles recorded 34 kills and hit .087.
Emma Wegleitner led Concordia with 16 kills, 11 digs and three aces. Delaney Gregg added nine kills on 15 errorless attacks for a .600 hitting percentage, while Nevada Knowles distributed 34 assists.
