UC San Diego pushed the Bulldogs to the brink, but Yale’s late surge sealed a dramatic 3-2 win in non-conference volleyball action.
UC San Diego (now 5-6) started strong with a dominant first set, forcing Yale onto the defensive with crisp passing and aggressive blocking. The Tritons’ front row held the Bulldogs to a .120 hitting percentage in the opener, creating early momentum.
But Yale (7-4) answered back in the second frame, adjusting with quicker sets to the outside and more pressure from the service line. The Bulldogs capitalized on Triton errors, pulling away late to even the match at one set apiece.
The third set proved pivotal as both teams exchanged long rallies. UCSD edged ahead at 20-19 before Yale’s blocking duo closed the gap, swinging momentum to the visitors. Yale held off a late Triton push to capture the set, 25-22.
Refusing to fold, UC San Diego responded with a dramatic fourth-set win. Behind strong serving and back-row defense, the Tritons forced extra points before taking the set 27-25, igniting the crowd and setting up a decisive fifth.
The final frame highlighted Yale’s composure under pressure. After trading points early, the Bulldogs strung together a 4-1 run to claim a 12-9 lead. UCSD fought back, narrowing the deficit to 13-12, but Yale sealed the match with two straight kills.
Key Performers:
- UCSD’s top scorer tallied double-digit kills, with consistent support from the back row.
- Yale’s outside hitters combined for over 30 kills, while the Bulldogs’ libero steadied the defense with a match-high in digs.
With the narrow defeat, UC San Diego continues its homestand, looking to regroup ahead of upcoming conference play. Yale, meanwhile, leaves California with a marquee non-conference win to bolster its early-season résumé.
No comments:
Post a Comment