BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – An early lead would not stand Thursday night at the Icardo Center in Bakersfield, Calif., as Seattle University volleyball dropped a five-set decision to Nevada in the Redhawks' opening game of the Roadrunner Classic, hosted by CSU Bakersfield.
Seattle U (1-4) jumped out to a 2-0 lead, claiming 25-23 and 25-22 victories in sets one and two. The Redhawks hit .333 in the opener and .276 in the second set while also out-blocking the Wolfpack 5-1 over the two sets.
But the tide would turn in the third set and the Redhawks lost momentum they could never recover. Nevada's defense stymied the Redhawks' offense for the remainder of the match and, despite a late rally in the fifth set, Seattle U came up just short.
Merima Smajlovic paced the Redhawks with nine kills and nine digs. Arianna Bilby added seven kills and 11 digs while Yasemin Elmas and Avery Fearnley had six kills apiece. Elmas also added eight block assists.
The Redhawks have a quick turnaround, facing tournament host CSU Bakersfield on Friday, Sept. 6 at 10 a.m. The match will air live on ESPN+.
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