ROCKLIN, Calif. - The Warriors ended their second volleyball Invitational with another close battle this time against the Oregon Tech Owls falling 3-1, although coming within three points in all but one set. Jessup finished 2-1 over the two days of play, now 5-3 overall to start the season at home.

"Today was a tough day for us," head coach Shasta Millhollin commented after the game. "We played a very talented and experienced Oregon Tech team, they are well coached and we're looking forward to facing them again."

In the opening set, the Warriors lost a long and hard fought battle, 31-29. But it wouldn't stop there as they fought back in the second set.

The Warriors found themselves down early, 4-7 in the second set, but would claw their way back taking a 13-10 lead. After tied again at 21, the Warriors would pull away to win 25-22. 

The Owls would find themselves battling back in the third set as Jessup was defeated 25-20 but again, well-matched competition left the Warriors hungry for more. 

Playing from behind the second time around, the Warriors rallied back in fourth trailing 17-10 to tie it up at 21 apiece on a 10-4 run sparked by Jasmine Pinon with a momentum-changing kill. Makenzie Reeder-Esparza would get the final kill of the game to get within one, 22-23, but the Owls would take it to the finish with a 25-23 win, 3 sets to 1.


Brianne Whitt led the Warriors in assists for the third consecutive game with 20, while also tallying the most digs, 21. Leading in kills was senior Sydney Molander with 12 accompanied by a pair of blocks, teammate Reeder-Esparza finished right behind with 11 kills.

Millhollin was pleased with her team's resilience, "We are very proud of the hard work that our team put in. They battled every point all match long, and we know matches like this will make us better and pay off as our season continues."

It'll be a one-day break between the Warriors next slate of games as they head to Ashland, Ore. for the SOU Classic on Saturday. In the upcoming tournament, Jessup will have a doubleheader taking on Lewis and Clark University and in game two they'll look to avenge their loss to Southern Oregon from earlier in the season.   
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) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat).