ROCKLIN, Calif. - Closing out the non-conference contests in Warrior Arena, the Lady Warriors welcomed UC Santa Cruz for an early match.  The Jessup volleyball team kept up with the Banana Slugs taking them the distance in the third set but came up short as UC Santa Cruz took the 3-0 advantage (23-25, 20-25, 26-28).

"Santa Cruz is one of the better defensive teams that we have seen," said head coach Shasta Millhollin. "They fight for every point and have a lot of experienced returners leading their squad."

Continuing her dominance at the net this season, sophomore Makenzie Reeder-Esparza led the Warriors with 9 kills for the night in her total 26 swings, with teammates Taylor Jacky and Vendela Williams collecting five apiece.

"Makenzie did a very nice job offensively and the whole team stepped up as the match went on," commented Millhollin. 

The 'Slugs came out strong as the Warriors had to fight point-for-point down by 6 in the first set. Going on a 5-0 run, the Slugs locked at 24 for 3 of those points as the Warriors pushed back but came up short as UC Santa Cruz went up 1-0.

It was a back and forth motion for sets two and three as Jessup and UC Santa Cruz both proved they came to battle it out to the finish. Serving was a dominant component tonight with 23 total aces on the night, the Warriors only posting 7.

Down 19-23 in the final set, the Warriors came back to tie it at 23, but despite the exchange of leads, the 'Slugs took it to the finish line to win 28-26, stealing the match 3-0.

"Tonight didn't finish exactly how we planned, but we know we will do better next time," Millhollin concluded. "But we are looking forward to starting the second round of conference play this weekend!"

The Warriors will hit the road for the next two conference matches in Southern California taking on (2) Westmont Friday, October 14th at 4pm and The Masters on Saturday, October 15th at 4pm.  
 
William Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on William Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: William Jessup University Athletics (Facebook), @WJUSports (Twitter), and @JessupAthletics (Instagram, and Snapchat).