Women's Volleyball 11/16/2013 3:45:00 PM Jeff Cluff, Coordinator of Media Relations

Young Career High 19 kills Not Enough as Red Storm lose to Point Loma in Four

Box Score PHOTO GALLERY

ST. GEORGE, UT -- A career-high 19 kills was not enough for Shannon Young (Whittier, CA/St Paul) and the Dixie State volleyball team as they dropped a crucial four set Pacific West Conference match to Point Loma 19-25, 21-25, 26-24, 20-25 at the Student Activities Center on Saturday afternoon.

The senior outside hitter Young, playing in her final match at home by leaving everything on the court. She attempted 52 attacks, committing just four errors and hitting a solid .288 for the match. It wasn't enough as the Red Storm (17-9/14-6 PWC) dropped their home finale and left their debut in the NCAA Regionals in question.

Point Loma (23-7/16-4 PWC) jumped out in front of the Red Storm by winning the first two games. The Sea Lions cruised to victory 25-19 and 25-21. In game one, the score was tied four times and saw four lead changes with PLNU breaking a 6-6 tie and never looked back. In the second game, after a quick 1-0 DSU lead, PLNU lead the rest of the way and won 25-21.

In the third set, the Red Storm responded in a nice fashion, building a 14-8 lead and forcing a PLNU timeout. But, the Sea Lions didn't go away easy and scored six straight points to knot the match of at 14.

DSU responded with three quick points, but once again PLNU battle back to cut it to 18-17 and then again at 20-19. The Red Storm bent, but never broke as the Sea Lions forced DSU to win 26-24 on a service error and a Young kill.

In the final set both team battled back and forth, the game included 12 tied and three lead changes. With PLNU building its lead to 20-16, coach Robyn Felder called a timeout and the Red Storm responded b scoring four straight points. Kendahl Weiland (Albany, OR/West Albany) earned a kill on a set from Shelby Sorenson (Lehi, UT/Lehi). An attack error by the Sea Lions cut it to two, Maddie Rex (Tucson, AZ/Sabino) followed with a service ace and then Weiland earned her 10^th kill of the match to tie it at 20-20.

But the seasoned PLNU team responded with a 5-0 run to close the match out 25-20. Heather Leavitt picked her match high 21^st kill to silence the DSU crowd.

"We had our chances today," said head coach Robyn Felder. "We played a little nervous early and it really cost in the match."

Besides Young and Weiland in double digit kills, Rex finished with 13 and also added a match-high 26 digs.

DSU entered the match as the No. 9 ranked team in the NCAA DII West Regional poll, with the top eight teams receiving invites to the tournament. DSU will find out its fate on Sunday Nov. 23.

SENIOR DAY:
Sheila Uluave
St. George, UT/ Dixie HS/ Salt Lake CC
5-9 OH

JC transfer. Injured in 2011.

"Sheila has been a delight to coach.  The best thing about Sheila is that she never takes a day off.  She comes to practice day in and day out and works her tail off.  She always has such a positive attitude and is so willing to learn and improve.  After battling some injuries for the past two years, she really stepped up as a vocal leader this year and helped the team stay focused and driven.  Sheila is a great example of hard work, dedication, and determination."

Pauline VonDinklage (American Samoa/Fagaitua)
American Samoa / Fagaitua / New Mexico Military Institute
5-9 OH

JC Transfer

"Pauline is one of those athletes that I will never forget.  She has an electric personality and is a firecracker on and off the court.  She is a fierce competitor but has a huge heart toward her teammates and family.  She is perfectly defined as being "the ultimate teammate".  She is always positive and always thinking of others before herself- that is a quality very rare to collegiate athletes.  Pauline's ferocious attitude will take her far in life.  There is no other like Pauline-- she is one of a kind."

Shannon Young (Whittier, CA/St Paul)
Whittier, CA/ St. Paul
5-9 OH

Four years at DSU.

"This year Shannon has stepped up as a leader both on and off the court.  To say that I am proud of Shannon's growth this year would be an understatement.  She has the heart of a champion and is a wonderful teammate.  It has been such an honor to see her step up into the role of the "go-to" player.  She wants to be the best and has been willing to put in the effort to be that athlete.  Shannon is the ultimate example of hard work pays off."

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