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Site: La Mirada, Calif. (Chase Gymnasium)
Score: Vanguard 3, Davenport 0; Davenport 3, #9 Masters 2
Records: DU (1-2), VU (1-0), TM (1-1)
Next DU event: Friday, Aug. 23 – vs. No. 1 Concordia (Irvine) - 2 p.m. EST
 
LA MIRADA, Calif. – Playing in one of the toughest tournaments in the country, Davenport posted a 1-1 record on day one of the Biola University Summer Slam. The opener saw DU fall 3-0 to Vanguard University who like the Panthers are receiving votes in the NAIA Top-25 Poll. DU then rallied from two sets down to No. 9 The Masters to win their first ever match over an NAIA Top-25 foe 3-2. The Panthers will continue play at Biola on Friday against No. 1 Concordia-Irvine at 2 p.m. EST and 20 Cal State San Marcos at 6 p.m. EST.

The opener between Davenport and Vanguard featured two teams receiving votes in the NAIA Top-25 poll and after the Panthers fell 28-26 in the first set, it was all Lions as they walked away with a 3-0 (28-26, 25-17, 25-18) victory. Davenport led much of the first set and held a 19-14 edge but the Lions chipped away and fought off three set points to take the 1-0 lead.

DU never got on track in either of the closing two sets as they were led in the match by eight kills from Hannah Stone and seven from Marcey DeHaan. Sophomore Sidney Rodrigiuez led the defense with 11 digs while junior Amber Getty dished out 25 assists.

Playing their second match of the day against another NAIA Top-25 team, The Masters, Davenport again led for most of the opening set but a late rally by the No. 9 ranked Mustangs lifted them to a 25-21. MC did not lead until 18-17 and then used the momentum from the win in the first to take the second in quick fashion 25-12.

DU continued to fight though and after trailing for much of the third set, rallied with four straight points to lead 24-23. The Masters sided out but DU would go on to win 27-25 and force the fourth set. Much like the third, DU fell behind early but again fought back in the low-20's and took a 25-22 decision.

The momentum from the third and fourth carried right into the fifth as Davenport seized full control with a 6-2 start. The lead grew to as many as seven as the Panthers won going away 15-7.

In their second 5-set match of the year, senior Nicole Chase led the attack with 16 kills followed by 14 from Hannah Stone and 10 from Olivia DenHartigh while Amber Getty posted 45 assists and eight digs.

Davenport will conclude their trip to California on Friday when they play No. 1 Concordia-Irvine and No. 20 Cal State San Marcos. Matches are scheduled for 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. EST.

Post-Match Notes
Davenport picked up its first win over an NAIA Top-25 foe in program history and is now 1-32 all-time…The trip is the first ever for DU Volleyball to the west coast of the United States…DU will face two brand new foes on Friday and will meet the No. 1 team in the country (Concordia-Irvine) for the first time ever…DU is halfway through the stretch to open the season that sees them play six straight matches against Top-25 or RV foes
 
Volleyball Contact: Aaron Sagraves | 616-554-5045 | asagraves@davenport.edu
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