San Diego, Calif – (Golden Gymnasium at PLNU) - Coming off a 3-1 loss last night in Vanguard’s second match of the Seaside Invitational, the No. 10-ranked Lions came back with a vengeance by claiming a pair of shutout wins in day two of the Point Loma Nazarene University Tournament. The Lions dumped Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.) 25-11, 25-21, and 25-14, in an early afternoon match before completing tournament play with another domination decision, defeating Colorado Christian 25-17, 25-14, 25-18.

Vanguard came out firing on all cylinders in the first set of the Embry-Riddle match as the Lions rattled off 14 kills against only two errors while registering their most lopsided win of the day. Although the Lions did not match their .414 attacking percentage of the first set for the rest of the match, Vanguard came very close (.393) in the match-clinching 25-14 set three victory. Senior Kelsey Wirt pounded a team-high 12 kills and also picked up 14 digs against ERAU. Sophomore Jamie Heenan added nine kills and 12 digs, while libero Ariel Strickler led all players with 17 digs. Sophomore transfer Alexandra Leja and senior Meghan Walsh shared setting duties against ERAU, tallying 21 and 18 assists, respectively.

The Lions had a short rest before taking on the Cougars of Colorado Christian in the final match of the day. VU’s 25-17 victory in the first set gave the Lions the momentum that would drive them on to an efficient three-set win with Wirt and Heenan leading the way with 10 kills apiece. Heenan and Strickler topped the team in digs with nine each, while Leja and Walsh combined for 27 assists to lead the Vanguard offense.

Today’s victories move VU’s overall record to 4-1 with one more preseason tournament to play before beginning the intensively competitive Golden State Athletic Conference schedule. Vanguard hosts matches next Friday and Saturday as a part of Concordia University’s Crowne Plaza Labor Day Volleyball.

ERAU Boxscore

CCU Boxscore