Hullar’s Career High Powers Bulldogs Past Westcliff in Home Opener

From goredlands.com

REDLANDS — Freshman Jaycee Hullar, of Lake Elsinore, posted a career-high 14 kills to lead the University of Redlands women's volleyball team to a four-set victory over Westcliff University in its home opener Tuesday inside Currier Gym.

The Bulldogs (2-5) took the match 25-12, 19-25, 25-18, 25-19.

Credit: Bulldog Athletics

Jaycee Hullar’s four kills during the critical 10-0 run in the fourth set completely broke the match open to seal the win for the Bulldogs.

Redlands surged early in the opening set, building a 16-3 cushion behind four kills from San Mateo sophomore Lily Kautai and seven assists from junior Makenna Vanhofwegen, of Buckeye, Arizona. Westcliff cut the deficit under 10 points late, but a 4-0 run capped by two additional Kautai kills sealed the 25-12 set victory.

The Warriors responded in the second set, utilizing a five-point surge to break an early deadlock and take an 8-4 lead. Redlands rallied back as kills from sophomore Emily Kitchin and Cecily Wagstaff, both of Portland, Oregon, and Hullar tied the set at 9. A subsequent service error restored Westcliff's advantage, and the Warriors held on to even the match.

Westcliff held a brief 7-6 edge in the third set before a kill by freshman Krystal Rose Huff, of Mill Valley, off an assist from El Cerrito sophomore Hannah Hajnal sparked a 4-0 run. The Bulldogs retained control from there, winning 15 of the final 26 points to secure the 25-18 win.

Tied 3-3 in the fourth set, Redlands generated separation following kills by Kautai, Fresno senior Esha Ball, and Hullar. Leading 8-7, the Bulldogs put the match away with 10 unanswered points. The run featured two service aces by Vanhofwegen, a combined block by Bakersfield junior Callie Cahill and Las Vegas senior Makaila Brooks, and four kills from Hullar.

Kautai joined Hullar in double figures with 12 kills. Vanhofwegen recorded team highs in both assists (27) and digs (18). Lake Elsinore freshman Olivia Stanley contributed eight assists and 13 digs, while Brooks logged six block assists.

Redlands travels to Thousand Oaks on Friday to open play in the Cal Lu Fornia Invitational against Hardin-Simmons University at 4 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. matchup against the University of California, Santa Cruz.