La Verne, CA (October 5, 2018) - Senior Natalie Gray becames DeSales' all-time record holder in digs recording 56 in the two matches on Friday evening giving her 2,164 for her career as the Bulldogs opened play out in Southern California with two losses vs. Whittier College (3-0) and the University of La Verne (3-1).

The Basics

• Final Score: Whittier - 3, DeSales - 0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-21); La Verne - 3, DeSales - 1 (25-23, 25-16, 21-25, 25-19)
• Records: DeSales (14-7); Whittier (9-8); La Verne (10-7)

How It Happened

• The Bulldogs committed 15 hitting errors over the first two sets vs. Whittier and despite hitting .310 in the third set, WC matched DSU's offensive fire power hitting .370 to close out the match in three sets.
• In the loss to La Verne, DSU hit just .092 but was able to grind out a win in the third set, 25-21, before falling in four to the host.

Top Bulldog Performers

• Gray was outstanding on defense in both matches totaling 27 digs vs. Whittier and 29 vs. La Verne.  She surpasses Amanda Wallitsch who had the all-time record for digs with 2,155.  
• Fellow senior Gabby Savite` recorded double-doubles in both matches with 13 kills and 13 digs vs. Whittier and 10 kills and 10 digs vs. La Verne.
• Sophomore Grace Merritt had 10 kills and hit .444 vs. Whittier and posted a team-high 15 kills vs. La Verne.
• Junior Jenna Sievert played well in a relief role vs. La Verne totaling seven kills and hitting .636.
• Freshman Audrey Wolfe totaled 28 assists vs. Whittier and 35 vs. La Verne.  She added 15 digs in the loss to La Verne.

For the Foes

• Whittier was led by Makenzie Thieme with 14 kills, while Camryn Purdom had 13 assists and 21 digs.
• Kelsie Sievers totaled a match-high 19 kills and added four blocks to lead La Verne.
• Madison Maynes finished with 40 assists and 19 digs.

Up Next

• DSU travels to Pomona-Pitzer tomorrow to take on PP and California-Santa Cruz in two more matches out west.