Box Score Box Score

STOCKTON, Calif. - After multiple match postponements, the 2021 spring season finally started for the University of the Pacific Women's Volleyball team on Friday evening. Although the Tigers took the first set of the West Coast Conference contest against Gonzaga, Pacific fell short of a victory in a five set thriller at Alex G. Spanos Center. The Bulldogs won in five sets, 19-25, 25-22, 15-25, 25-19, 15-12.

Although the Tigers fell in the match, head coach Greg Gibbons seemed encouraged. "I like the fact that they did good on some things we've been able to work on in practice so it's about getting better every day and this is a good starting point for us so we'll grow from here," said Gibbons following the contest. 

MATCH SUMMARY

The first point of the match was the first career kill for Alexa Edwards, to put the Tigers ahead. The set was evenly played to 13-13. Then a kill by Riley Ramsey started a 7-1 run as the Tigers pulled away. At set point, Riley Patterson had her fifth kill of the match, as Pacific took the first set, 25-19.

The Bulldogs responded in the second set, taking multiple leads by as much as three points. Pacific faced set point trailing 24-21. But a kill by Kennedy Kaminsky prolonged the set. However, Gonzaga finished off the set with a kill by Zoe Thiros to win the set 25-22 and even the match at one set each. 

Although Gonzaga had an early 5-4 lead in the third set, Pacific followed with an eight point rally and wouldn't look back in the set. While Gonzaga climbed back to come within two points, the Tigers rebuilt their lead, and reached set point ahead 24-14 after a kill by Sedona Sherman. An unforced error by Pacific allowed the set to continue, but an attack error by the Bulldogs ended the set, as the Tigers won 25-15 to lead the match 2-1. 

Gonzaga went ahead 6-0 in the fourth set, and didn't trail. A late 5-0 rally by Pacific in the set brought the Tigers within four points, but the final two points of the set went to the Bulldogs, as the match went to a deciding set. 

To decide the match, Gonzaga jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the final set. Pacific rallied back to come within a point on two occasions in the set, but Gonzaga finished the match with a kill by Sarah Penner to win 15-12 to complete a 3-2 win. 

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

• In her collegiate debut, Edwards led the Tigers in kills with 21 on Friday. 
• Jadyn Tubbs had a team-high 23 digs for Pacific. 
• Patterson reached a double-double for the 25th time during her career with 14 kills and 18 digs. 
• Kaminsky had three total blocks on Friday.
• Penner led Gonzaga in kills with 15. 

UP NEXT:
Pacific and Gonzaga meet again on Saturday, February 6 at Alex G. Spanos Center. Opening Serve is set for noon. You can follow the action on WCC Network or through live stats. 

FOLLOW US:
For the latest news and information on Pacific volleyball, please follow the Tigers on Twitter (@PacificVball), Instagram (@pacificvolleyball) and Facebook (@PacificWomensVolleyball).