Sept. 4, 2011

Box Score

CORVALLIS, Ore. - LMU (3-2) managed to force a fourth set in its match against Oregon State (4-2) on Sunday night at the Active Ankle Challenge being hosted by the Beavers, but fell by scores of 25-21, 25-23, 19-25, 25-21. The Lions hit just .132 in the loss.

Senior Jasmine Rankins tallied her second double-double in as many matches on Sunday, teaming a match-high tying 18 kills with 11 digs. The native of Oceanside, Calif., who led the WCC in aces just a year ago, also added five service aces against the Beavers. Olivia Bailey also collected a double-double, combining a match-high 44 assists with 12 digs. Betsi Metter led all players in terms of digs, collecting 19.

Camille Saxton matched the 18 kills from Rankins for Oregon State, doing so on 43 attacks for a .372 hitting percentage. The Beavers hit .207 over the course of the match as Tayla Woods dished-out 36 assists. Oregon State performed well on the block, posting nine total team blocks, including two block solos and three block assists from Arica Nassar.

Despite a set-best four kills from Rankins in the first set, LMU hit just .132 en route to dropping the opener. Rankins and Diana Hiromoto each posted a service ace, but Saxton's four kills on 12 attacks proved enough to overcome the Lions. After earning the first point of the match, LMU never led again in the first set as it fell 25-21.

The second set proved closer between the two teams, as they played to seven tie scores and two lead changes, but LMU once again came up short at 25-23. Rankins posted seven kills on 12 attacks to guide LMU to its best hitting percentage at .220. Unfortunately, Dre Shaw matched Rankins' output of seven kills for Oregon State, teaming with Saxton who posted five of her own on six swings, to defeat the Lions.

Showing fight, LMU never trailed in the third set en route to earning a victory and forcing a fourth period. Although they hit just .094, the Lions received three kills apiece from Rankins and Alyse Hensley. The set was truly won from LMU's service area, as the Lions served-up five aces in the third, including three from Rankins to take a 25-19 victory.

Neither team managed a high hitting percentage in the fourth, as Oregon State outhit the Lions, .146-.075. Saxton and Nassar guided the Beavers to the match victory, posting five and four kills, respectively. Litara Keil and Rankins each had four kills for the Lions, but it was not enough to force a fifth and decisive set. After posting two team blocks in each of the first three sets, Oregon State received three more in the final set on Sunday night.

The Lions conclude action at the Active Ankle Challenge tomorrow when they square-off against Cal State Bakersfield at 10 a.m.