COSTA MESA, CA – Menlo Women's Volleyball showed grit today in their nailbiter match against Vanguard where the Lions pulled ahead, 1-3. Menlo took the third set 25-20 to make things interesting, however Vanguard was able to end it in 4. Amey Rainaud-Hinds is #6 in the NAIA with 6.20 digs per set!  

 

Oaks and Lions in Back-and-Forth Battle 

The entire match felt like a side-out battle for both Menlo and Vanguard. The first set went to the Lions after a back and forth battle ensued the majority of the set. Gabriella MacKenzie had back to back kills from Amey Rainaud-Hinds to keep the Oaks close. The final score of the first set went to Vanguard, 21-25. Vanguard continued to control the match as they stayed ahead in set 2. There were three different ties within set 2 with the Oaks battling from behind. Maya Saole Su'e crushed a kill from Beatrice Manzon before the Lions ended it, 16-25. 

Menlo started the third set strong going ahead 3-0. From there it was an all out brawl for the set win. There were 12 different changes in lead throughout the set. Menlo was able to persevere and pull ahead in the end to take the third set 25-20. The fourth set began with a 5-point run to go ahead 5-3. But the Lions found their mojo to make it 17-19. Jazmyn Tubbs earned a kill to tie it all up 24-24. But Vanguard finished the set 26-24 to end the match. The Oaks did not want to give up and showed some extraordinary rallies to stay in the match. 

Saole-Su'e Led the Way

On the offense, Gabriella MacKenzie and Jazmyn Tubbs each totaled 9 kills towards the Oaks 45 total. Maya Saole-Su'e was dominant on both sides earning 6 kills, hitting .500%, while also adding an assist, an ace, 2 digs, and 4 total blocks. Paige Harmann set 19 assists today and contributed 7 digs. Amey Rainaud-Hinds is holding strong at #6 in the NAIA with 6.20 digs per set. She totaled 23 digs against the Lions. She is still #1 in the GSAC and has 335 digs on the season so far. Although it was not the outcome the Oaks were striving for, there were some quality moments in their performance. The Oaks stand third in conference behind Vanguard and Life Pacific who each remain undefeated in GSAC play. Menlo is neck-and-neck with Jessup who is their next faceoff! 

Up Next….

The Oaks are back in Haynes-Prim Pavilion on Saturday, September 23rd at 5pm to take on NorCal rival Jessup.