Dixie State women’s volleyball stayed unbeaten in Pacific West Conference play in a tight contest, ending in a win Saturday afternoon.
DSU earned the win, beating Point Loma University 3-1. Each set was decided by five points or less, with each team battling to stay undefeated in conference play.
“I think the biggest key for us was our mindset going in,” head coach Robyn Felder said. “We have been doing a lot of mental preparation before the games and a lot of positive self-talk.”
Right from the beginning, the match was tight, with both teams fighting back and forth until DSU finally put it away with a four-to-one run.
The outside hitter duo of junior Edithza Urias and senior Maddie Rex led the Red Storm to victory with their outstanding play. Urias led the team with 14 kills, and Rex added 13. There were four DSU players in double figures in the kills category.
“The girls know they have all the tools to be successful,” Felder said. “So in the those moments in the games when they get rattled, we have really been trying to stay focused and disciplined.”
Point Loma came from behind when they were down 19-13 late in the second set. DSU tried to recover with a timeout, but the Sea Lions held on to win 25-23, evening the match at one set each.
Both the third and fourth sets were close, but DSU held Point Loma off to win the match (25-20, 23-25, 25-21, 25-23).
The Storm swept Azusa Pacific University in three games prior to Point Loma on Friday. Rex led the team this game with 11 kills, followed closely by Urias with 10. Senior libero Alex Anderson had 15 digs to help lead the Storm to their victory (25-14, 25-13, 25-22).
“We are feeling really good right now,” said Rex, a business major from Tucson, Arizona. “This weekend was huge for us and confirmed that we are one of the top teams in the conference.”
With the win, DSU improved its overall record to 10-5 and 7-0 in conference play. The Storm have done this with an eight-game win streak.
“The girls are playing with a lot of confidence right now,” Felder said. “It is just very exciting to be a part of a program where the girls are maturing and growing so much.”
The Storm head on the road playing next Monday, Oct. 13 at Chaminade University in Honolulu, Hawaii at 11 p.m.
