ASHLAND, CA – The new 2023 Women's Volleyball continues to get to know each other during the preseason Raiders Invitational. After day one, the Oaks are 1-1 after a loss to Oregon Tech followed by a victory against Embry-Riddle. Similar story on day 2 for Menlo as they dropped a 3-set match to Southern Oregon with close scores all around. They responded fiercely in the afternoon against #2 Corban University where they won in five.
Menlo 0 - 3 Southern Oregon
An early morning match in the home court of the Southern Oregon Raiders proved difficult for the Menlo Oaks to keep momentum. It was a side-out battle on both sides of the net going back and forth the entire match. There were 8 different ties throughout the three sets played. After dropping the first set to the Raiders 21-25, the Oaks went up 5-1 in the second set to gain a good margin. But Southern Oregon found some last minute energy and came from behind to take the second set 22-25. In the third set, Menlo had a difficult time finding control of the match. At one point they came from behind to make it 14-12, but Southern Oregon's Marin Mackey was not going to allow this match to go any further. Mackey was able to land 11 kills in three sets to end the match. Despite a loss, the Oaks still showed good volleyball with passion and fight on the court. The Oaks will get one more chance to respond in the Raider's Invitational.
It seems like the name Jazmyn Tubbs will be one you will see a lot of this 2023 season for the Oaks as she dominates another box score. She totaled 9 kills, a block assist, and 3 digs for Menlo. Hannah Torres also added 7 to Menlo's 29 total kills in the match. Paige Harmann was our assist leader in match one with 16 assists. Beatrice Manzon also helped the Oaks out with 11 assists, an ace, a block, and 4 digs. Amey Rainaud-Hinds fought hard to keep the Oaks in it with 10 digs on the back line. Katharine Mumm and Maya Saole-Sue each had 3 block assists to lead the team.
Menlo 3 - 2 #2 Corban
Menlo showed heart in their final match of the Raider Invitational when they left it all on the court to win it in five! #2 Corban was expected to sweep but the Oaks were not leaving day two without a win. The Warriors began the first set going up 9-2 before Menlo was able to go on a 7 point run to make it 8-9. From there it was back and forth but a kill from Maya Saole-Sue sealed the first set win by 25-23. The second and third sets went to Corban but Menlo was hungry to continue playing. A come from behind 6-point run earned the Oaks the fourth set win and pushed it to set five. It went to the very last points when it was tied 13-13 and Gabriella MacKenzie was able to get one step ahead with a kill. At 14-13, Corban ended the match on an attack error to give the Oaks the 3-2 victory!
Jazmyn Tubbs unleashed every last ounce of power she had from this weekend into these last 5 sets. She totaled 22 kills, a block assist, and 3 digs. Jazmyn has proved her status this past weekend as one of the Oaks go-to power hitters! Gabriella MacKenzie also aided in the Oaks victory by adding 14 to the Oaks 68 total kills. Beatrice Manzon dished 34 assists and Paige Harmann added another 24 assists in the offensive show down. On the defense, Amey Rainaud-Hinds continued to thrive on the back line and earned 44 digs. Menlo totaled 17 blocks against the #2 Corban. This was clearly a team effort and the Oaks battled hard to earn this win!
Up next…
Menlo is back in their home court for the first time this 2023 season as they host the Oak Invitational! The 3-day Invitational will kick off on Wednesday, August 23 at 11am to take on the UC Merced Bobcats! Later that day they will face off with Southern Oregon once again. We will see if the Oaks can redeem themselves on their home court!
