On Nov. 14 and Nov. 16, UC Davis women’s volleyball team played against UC Santa Barbara and Cal Poly at the Pavilion. The Aggies battled in each frame for both games but struggled to keep up with the competitors’ timely scoring runs. UC Davis ended up with a 3-0 loss for both games.
The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos bounced back from the loss against Hawai’i. Leah Sully posted a match-high 22 digs, while Ali Spindt tallied 14 kills and 17 digs to lead the Gauchos to a 25-21, 25-23, 25-23 sweep of the Aggies.
Senior Devon Damelio continued her good form and picked up a double-double of 13 kills and 12 digs for UC Davis. But the Aggies’ .148 hitting average marked their lowest in the last eight matches, resulting in getting swept for the first time this season.
The Aggies struggled for a win to end their three-game losing streak. In their matchup against the Cal Poly Mustangs, both teams started with good form and the lead kept changing. However, the Mustangs’ timely scoring runs in each set let them win three consecutive sets over the Aggies. This win for the Mustangs snapped their three-game losing streak.
Compared to their last game against UCSB, the Aggies did better on defense and offense. Junior libero Megan Lancaster posted a match-high 15 digs. Senior setter Jenny Woolway, who had an impressive performance, picked up 11 digs to go with her 32 assists.
After losing four games consecutively, the Aggies slip to 14-13 for the year and 6-8 in Big West Conference. On Nov. 22, UC Davis will start their last road trip of the season in Hawai’i.
Hawai’i is currently ranked third place in Big West play with a 20-4 overall record and 9-3 conference record. Both Emily Hartong and Jade Vorster are playing well this season. In the last game against the Gauchos, Hartong had 24 kills and 10 digs while Vorster had a season-high 11 kills and eclipsed 200 blocks for her career.
Although the Aggies defeated Hawai’i in the last game with a 3-2 victory, Hawai’i is on a four-game winning streak and will try to continue their good form in the game on Nov. 22.
— Janet Zeng
