Providence Hall’s girls volleyball team vaulted over Channel Islands in its season opener on Thursday, leaping past the Raiders 21-25, 25-21, 29-27, 22-25, 15-11.
The small-school Lions were able to defeat the much bigger Division II team by limiting their errors.
“We were definitely nervous at the beginning,” said Lions head coach Laura Trudelle. “After that tentative start, we really started cutting back on the mistakes.”
Faith Emerson and Lacey Gonzalez provided the veteran leadership and Trudelle also cited Olivia LeSage and Dakota Niessen – both freshman – for their contributions. Niessen played in all five sets and LeSage did her part in the victory by not missing a serve. Jenna Wilcox was also a major factor for the Lions.
Emerson led the team with seven kills and five aces while Gonzalez recorded eight assists.
Providence Hall (1-0) travels to the Bay Area on Friday for a one-day tournament. The Lions play their first home match next Friday evening (6 p.m.) at Westmont College.
