SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The 2015 season got underway for the Regis University volleyball team at the Seaside Invitation in San Diego, Calif. The Rangers captured their first win of the season against the San Francisco State Gators (0-2) but finished off the day with a loss to the Point Loma Sea Lions (2-0).

RU opened the day with a 3-1 win over San Fran. St. including a dominating fourth set 25-15 victory. Regis then fell to host school, Point Loma, in three sets.

Against the Gators, the Rangers fell in the first set but regrouped to take the next two and quickly surged to a 10-1 lead early in the fourth set that sealed the match victory. RU had help from heavy hitters Katie Klein and Rachael McCue. Klein, returning to the court in her first match since 2013, picked up right where she left off leading Regis with 16 kills turning a .455 attack percentage. McCue, a junior college transfer playing her first match as a Ranger, recorded a double-double with 15 kills and ten digs.

Regis defense was notable as well holding San Francisco State to a .133 attack percentage while controlling play at the net tallying 14 blocks. Klein and Diamond Ridley-Pierce each had three block assists while Alessandra Orlandini added 18 digs.

RU had a break before facing off against the Sea Lions in the final match of day one. Point Loma, receiving votes in the most recent American Volleyball Coaches Association Preseason Poll, brought a heavy offensive attack that ultimately proved too much for the Rangers. Point Loma was efficient in its attack converting 37 kills from 112 total chances for a .205 attack percentage.

Regis jumped out to an early 7-4 lead in the first set but the Sea Lions regained control due to attack errors by RU. The Rangers hung with the PLU throughout the remainder of sets including fighting to a 20-18 lead late in the third set but in the end the Sea Lions came back to take the match sweeping Regis.

RU (1-1) used a balanced attack throughout both matches as five different players finished in double digit kills. Klein led the way with 28 averaging 4.00 per set. McCue added 23, Maggie Steward with 18, Pierce-Ridley tallied 12, and Cedar Bellows put down 11.

Preseason Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year Rebecca Sponcil led the defense with 28 digs on the day with Orlandini and McCue adding 22 and 20, respectively. Making their debuts as Rangers, Brinley Beresford and Kristina Schell each recorded three service aces; Beresford tracked for 66 assists.

The Rangers have two games remaining in the invitational taking the court at 11:45 a.m. against Concordia-Irvine (1-1) and again at 4:30 p.m. against UC-San Diego (2-0)on Saturday, September 5.