LA JOLLA, Calif. – After earning three wins on its Illinois tour, the Pacific volleyball team heads west to compete in the UC San Diego Tournament starting on Friday, Sept. 9.
Alexa Edwards has been the team's primary offensive weapon through the Tigers' (3-3) first six matches of the season, tallying a team-high 105 kills. The first player in the West Coast Conference to reach 100 kills, Edwards ranks first in the conference in that category while also leading with a league-high 5.00 kills per set ratio. The junior from Sacramento, Calif., has recorded double-digit kills in six straight matches, tallying two matches this season with 20.
Jenna Heller, the team's primary setter, continues her breakout season by registering 229 assists in the first six matches. Heller has tallied 30 or more assists in every match and tied her career-high with 47 against UIC this past weekend. The sophomore from Gilbert, Ariz., leads the conference in assists per set with 10.90 and has totaled 13 kills while also ranking second on the team with 66 digs.
The Tigers open the weekend against New Mexico, who have won four of their last five contests, including earning two wins at the Borderland Invitational in El Paso, Texas. The Tigers will face off against the Lobos (4-1) for the eighth time in program history, holding a 7-1 advantage since the 1981 season. The Tigers had a seven-match winning streak over the Lobos until dropping a straight-set decision on September 7, 2019, in Las Cruces, N.M.
Competing in their second match of the day, the Tigers face off against Liberty for the first time in program history. The Flames (4-2) are currently on a three-match winning streak, sweeping past Winthrop, UNCW, and Murray State to take home the Liberty Tournament title this past weekend.
Pacific wraps up the tournament on Saturday, Sept. 10, as the Tigers matchup against UC San Diego for the second time in program history. The Tigers won the previous meeting over the Tritons (5-1), earning a straight-set victory on September 3, 2021, during the Pacific Community Classic at the Alex G. Spanos Center.
For more information about the 2022 season and future events, follow Pacific volleyball on social media and download the Pacific Athletics mobile app to keep up with news regarding your favorite Pacific Tiger teams.
