Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 SAN ANGELO, Texas – The Regis University Rangers volleyball team opened the 2016 season at the Kathleen Bakersfield Invitational hosted by Angelo State with a split. The Rangers battled back after dropping the first set to defeat the St. Edward's University Hilltoppers 3-1 in the opening match but suffered a 3-1 loss to the Tarleton State University Texanns.
 
"It was good to get the first win of the season against an excellent ball control team like St. Edward's," stated head coach Frank Lavrisha. "Though we did not get the 'W' against Tarleton State, the level of play was very high and we responded favorably to most of the challenges a strong opponent presented."
 
Match 1: Regis 3 St. Edward's 1
 
Play throughout the first match was fairly even between both teams. Regis fell in the first set 25-22 but bounced back to take the next three. Five consecutive points at the beginning of the second set with Kristina Schell at service gave the Rangers some separation from the Hilltoppers. RU continued to control the set and ultimately even the sets out with the 25-17 second set win.
 
The third set was a back-and-forth affair as each team exchanged control. Throughout the length of the set, the lead changed eight times and the scored tied 12. The score sat tied 22-22 when RU held off St. Edward's to take a 2-1 lead.
 
The score would tie four times in the fourth set but Regis never relinquished the lead. The Hilltoppers made one final push late in the set scoring three straight to come within four, 23-19 but the Rangers closed out the match to earn their first win of the season.
 
The Rangers slightly outhit the Hilltoppers 38-34 led by Katie Klein with 12. Klein produced a .220 attack percentage that saw 41 attempts. Kelsey Green, in her first collegiate match, was second on the team with eight kills. Regis was strong on the defensive side at the net recording 13 team blocks to the Hilltoppers eight and five players recording double-digit digs led by Kristina Schell with 24.
 
Match 2: Tarleton 3 Regis 1
 
A slow start in the first set doomed the Rangers. The Texanns jumped out to an early 7-3 lead at the start of the match in which Regis could never fully recover as Tarleton State took set one 25-15.
 
The score tied 13 times and the lead changed five throughout the second set as RU fought to equalize. The Rangers had two opportunities of set point but the Texanns were able to keep rallying and to go up 2-0 in the match on three straight points to win 29-27.
 
A third set 25-21 victory kept the Rangers alive as they continued battling to turn the result and stay alive. RU held the lead in the fourth set until the Texanns tied the score at 13-13. The score tied 11 more times through the remainder of the fourth set. Tarleton State was able to close out the last set to hand Regis their first loss.
 
The Rangers could not slow down a heavy hitting Texann attacker that recorded 23 kills. RU was outhit 62-53. Klein led Regis again tallying 13 kills on 38 attempts for a .211 attack percentage. She combined for 25 kills on the day. Green and Diamond Ridley-Pierce added double-digit kills with ten apiece.
 
Setters Gabby Haugh and Jaclyn Williamson shared time on the court recording 12 and 13 assists, respectively. Schell chipped in on the defensive front with 17 digs, combining for 41 on the day.
 
"We saw many players in the heat of competition. It was especially good to see Jac back on the court again," said Lavrisha. "It was a very constructive day for the Rangers as we are setting a tone for the season."
 
Regis will close out the tournament Saturday, September 3 against St. Mary's and Angelo State at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.