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2009 Lions Defeat Alumnae, 3-1
Aug. 22, 2009 LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The 2009 Lions hosted a group of alumnae in a friendly match on Saturday night in Gersten Pavilion, resulting in a 3-1 victory for the current Lion squad, 21-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-20. Sophomore Ariana Covington set the pace for the 2009 squad, tallying 14 kills on 27 attacks for a .481 hitting percentage. Freshman Alaina Bergsma saw the bulk of the chances offensively for the Lions, taking 36 swings and posting 11 kills. Becky Stehling and Megan Nash proved efficient on their chances, posting hitting percentages of .375 (7-1/16) and .714 (5-0/7), respectively. Sophomore Alesha Young and freshman Olivia Bailey showcased what should be a very good battle for playing time at the setter position throughout the year. Young passed-out 21 assists and also had two kills, while Bailey managed 29 assists, three service aces, and four kills on 14 attacks. Lauren DeGrandmont handled the libero duties on Saturday, collecting 11 digs to lead the squad in that category. The Lions as a team totaled 11 blocks (one solo and 10 assists), led by Kenna Crouse with one solo and one assist. Former Lion and current Team USA member, Heather Hughes, fittingly led the alumnae with 24 kills, the number she wore on the back of her jersey over her four-year stint as a Lion. Hughes also finished the match with three assists, two service aces, 13 digs and a block assist to record a double-double. Tracy Holman, who has her jersey retired in the rafters of Gersten Pavilion, split time with Nicole Oehlman serving as the team's setter. Holman dished-out 19 assists, while Oehlman contributed 18 of her own, to help the team to a .246 hitting percentage overall. Mardell Wrensch and Kelli Nerison each collected eight kills, with Nerison also posting three block solos, the most by any player on the court on Saturday night. Jacene Dimson was the alumnae libero, collecting a match-high 15 digs.
The alumnae took set one by a count of 25-21, highlighted by seven kills from Hughes and 13 assists from Holman. The Lions of yesteryear managed to post a .333 overall hitting percentage, holding the current Lions to a .163 mark on the other side of the net. Covington, Stehling, Bergsma and freshman Felicia Arriola all connected for three kills in the set, but the alumnae squad proved too tough. The 2009 team quickly bounced-back to take the final three sets of the match, starting with a 25-21 victory of their own in the second set. Sophomore Jasmine Rankins paved the way in the period, collecting four of her seven kills on the night. Nash and Bergmsa contributed three each, while Bergma also collected six of her seven total digs in set two alone. Hughes had a set-high six kills, but the alumnae totaled only 13 as a group. Set three proved to be the most lopsided of the night, as the current squad earned a 25-19 victory. Covington came alive in the third period, notching four kills on as many attacks for a perfect hitting percentage. Once again it was Hughes for the alumnae leading the way, finding the floor on five occasions and adding a service ace. The Lions put the match away in the final set, 25-20. Covington continued to guide the team to victory, posting a set-high tying six kills on 11 attacks. She shared the honor with Hughes, who finished with six kills and four digs. Arriola also finished the match strong, notching three kills and five digs over the span. The Lions open the regular season on August 28 at the Texas Christian University Tournament. |
