O'Neal shines in debut, Red Storm drop season opener

Volleyball loses to host UAA, 3-1

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ANCHORAGE – If first impressions leave a lasting imprint in your memory, then freshman Mercedes O'Neal painted a beautiful picture on Friday in Dixie State's season-opening loss to Alaska-Anchorage, 3-1.

The middle blocker from West Jordan had nine kills - a team high - and added three block assists in her first collegiate match. Kristin Heywood (Portland, OR/Sunset) had six kills, a .500 hitting percentage, and four block assists.

Dixie State (0-1) showed debut jitters with 16 service errors and 14 more errors on serve receive. Despite the miscues, the Red Storm outhit the Seawolves (2-3) for the match, .222-.194.

An early theme brewing from the first match is the ability to comeback in games. DSC trailed 16-12 in game number one and called a timeout to regroup. After the respite, the Red Storm scored six of the next nine points to pull even at 19-19. Janessa Koelliker (Kaysville, UT/Davis) had two kills during the rally and added another with the game knotted at 24-24. An attack error by UAA gave DSC the opening set.

Momentum swung immediately to the Seawolves with five straight points to open the second game. Like the previous game, DSC chipped away and tied the set at 19-19. Kimya Jafroudi closed the set by notching three straight points for UAA from the service line.

A four-point string midway through game three gave the Seawolves enough cushion for the win in game three.

Game four was closely contested throughout. Shannon Young (Whittier, CA/St Paul) had a kill and a service ace as Dixie State took a 8-5 lead. Six straight points on Sarah Johnson's serve forced another Red Storm timeout after seeing a three-point lead evaporate. The teams battled to a 23-23 tie before a pair of Julia Mackey kills wrapped up the match.

Koelliker, Young, Brita Jensen (Taylorsville, UT/Taylorsville) and Pauline VonDinklage (American Samoa/Fagaitua) each added six kills for Dixie State.

The Red Storm continue play in Alaska tonight at 7 p.m. Mountain against Western New Mexico.

Dixie State vs. Alaska Anchorage
(Sep 07, 2012 at Anchorage, Alaska)

Alaska Anchorage def. Dixie State 24-26,25-22,25-20,25-23

Dixie State (0-1) (Kills-aces-blocks) - O'Neal,Mercedes 9-0-3; Heywood,Kristin 6-2-4; Jensen,Brita 6-1-0; Young,Shannon 6-1-1; Koellker,Janessa 6-0-1; VonDinklage,Pauline 6-0-0; Uluave,Sheila 4-0-1; Hardman,Jen 1-0-0; Kelly,Brittany 1-0-0; Sorenson,Shelby 0-1-0; Totals 45-5-5.0. (Assists) - Hardman,Jen 27; Sorenson,Shelby 10. (Dig leaders) - Jensen,Brita 13; Young,Shannon 9; Kelly,Brittany 9

Alaska Anchorage (2-3) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Zanders,Katelynn 17-0-1; Mackey,Julia 15-1-0; Johnson,Sarah 8-3-3; Huddleston,Jodi 6-0-2; Sytnyk,Breanne 2-0-2; Logan,Lindsey 0-3-0; Jafroudi,Kimya 0-6-0; Johansen,Siobhan 0-1-0; Totals 48-14-5.0. (Assists) - Jafroudi,Kimya 41. (Dig leaders) - Johansen,Siobhan 15; Jafroudi,Kimya 14; Johnson,Sarah 11; Mackey,Julia 9; Bush,Jordan 8

Site: Anchorage, Alaska (Wells Fargo Spts Com)

Date: Sep 07, 2012 Attend: 200 Time: 1:43

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