The Pacific volleyball team secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Santa Clara in their first home match of the season at the Alex G. Spanos Center on Saturday. The match concluded with scores of 25-16, 21-25, 25-21, 18-25, and 15-6. The Tigers, who improved to 11-5 overall and 1-3 in the West Coast Conference (WCC), showcased impressive performance in the decisive fifth set with a hitting percentage of .421, notching nine kills against just one error. In contrast, the Broncos struggled, finishing the set with a .000 hitting percentage, contributing four kills and four errors.
After spending the first part of the season away, this match marked the Tigers’ return home and improved their five-set match record to 4-1. Head coach expressed pride in the team’s resilience and adaptability, praising their teamwork throughout the game.
A standout contribution came from a graduate player who achieved a season-high hitting percentage of .409 with 19 kills and only one error on 44 attempts, narrowly missing a double-double with nine digs. Another graduate teammate added 10 kills, while senior Jenna Hiller provided 24 assists and eight digs. Junior player contributed a solid defensive performance with 19 digs and six assists.
Pacific took an early lead in the first set, establishing a 12-6 advantage, but faced challenges in the second set where the game turned competitive and ultimately went to Santa Clara. However, the Tigers regained control in the third set with notable plays from their lineup, securing a 25-21 victory. The fourth set also went to the Broncos, leading to a crucial fifth set where Pacific dominated from start to finish.
Looking ahead, Pacific will host Washington State on October 10 at 6 p.m. The Tigers have a perfect record of 4-0 against the Cougars, with the last encounter taking place in 2012.
During the match, Pacific also honored the memory of Davis Heller, who tragically passed away on this day in 2022. The Heller family, with ties to the Pacific athletics program, continues to inspire the community. In remembrance of Davis, the Davis Heller Memorial Foundation awarded scholarships to two Pacific student-athletes exemplifying the values he stood for. The Tigers’ celebration of his legacy underscored their deep community connection.
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