IRVINE, Calif. - After battling long and hard for an early Friday five-set win against a 24th-ranked Westmont College team, the Lady Flames seemed to run completely out of gas in the final set against powerful and No. 2 Concordia-Irvine and were beaten 3-0.
The No. 3-ranked Lee squad stayed right with the unbeaten (10-0) Eagles in the first two sets, losing 25-23 and 25-22. The final game was a different story as the host team coasted to the 25-13 margin.
The Lady Flames will return to the court in the Asics/Wyndam Hotel Labor Day Classic on Saturday, facing Vanguard at noon and then testing No. 5 Biola University in the final contest of the two-day Classic.
Posting only a .143 hitting percentage, Lee got only five slams from their kill leader, Marija Zelenovic. Paula Martins stepped up with 10 kills and four blocks, while Irene Ojwkwu also had 10 kills, three blocks and 10 digs. Camil Martinez chipped in with 27 assists and a pair of blocks. Libby Peigen posted 16 digs.
On the other hand, Brooke Marino played a key role for the winners, 13 kills and 7 digs. Fei Gao followed with 10 kills, three blocks and 10 digs. Kara Vincitario helped her teammates with 17 digs and Liz Younglove gave up 18 assists and added seven digs to the winning total.
Lee 3, Westmont 2
Down 2-1, the Lee volleyball team (4-1) came battling back to capture the final two sets in convincing style and hand Westmont College its first defeat of the season in the opening round of the Asics/Wyndam Hotel Labor Day Classic on Friday evening.
Westmont claimed the opening set 25-23 and the Lady Flames bounced right back to win set two, 25-23. The California club reclaimed the lead in the third set 25-22, but the rest of the contest belonged to the Lady Flames as they claimed 25-15 and 15-9 decisions.
Marija Zelenovic was the leading gunner for the Lady Flames. She banged home 22 kills, came up with seven digs and added three blocks. Irene Ojukwu followed with 15 kills, eight digs and five blocks. Paula Martins gave Lee three players in double figure kills. She knocked down 12 slams and added four blocks. Setter Camil Martinez dished off 56 assists.
The Lady Flames controlled the match at the net. Patty Orozco, returning to her native state, was credited with seven blocks. Nicole Sumida was right behind with five and Martinez went to the net to also claim five blocks.
