THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- A successful California trip ends in a four-set victory over Redlands, picking up a nice 3-1 victory as the Loggers take momentum into Northwest Conference play. 

How it Happened
The first set started with some fireworks, as the Loggers found themselves down 2-5. An impressive 6-1 run by Puget Sound flipped the script, as they took back the lead into the middle of the set. They took the lead and never looked back, taking a 20-13 lead thanks to a couple of kills by Maddie Badger and an ace by Erin Fagan. Despite fighting off a roaring Bulldog comeback, the Loggers held on for a 25-20 set win.

A tough start in the second set plagued the Loggers, as Redlands got off to a quick 7-1 start. The Loggers went on a small run thanks to kills by Ursula Harrington and Makela Pick, pulling within five late in the set. The couldn't use the momentum to catch up, though, as Redlands ran away with the set 16-25. 

With a championship mindset comes the ability to bounce back, and the Loggers did just that. The teams battled it out to start the third set, with neither team leading by more than two through the first half of the set. After the Bulldogs tied it up at 17 apiece, the Loggers dropped the hammer. Eight straight points, thanks to three kills by Badger, an ace by Fagan, and a couple of errors by the Bulldogs, gave the Loggers a massive set three win. 

The momentum continued, as the Loggers got off to a quick 7-3 lead in the fourth set thanks to back to back aces by Amelia Reed. Puget Sound continued to play well with the lead, as three kills in a row by Badger and Randi Rush extended the lead to five – 17-12. The Bulldogs responded with a quick point, but the Loggers poured on three more to extend their lead to seven. They finished the set with an impressive 4-0 run thanks to back to back kills by Pick. An ace by Akira Anderson sealed the deal, and the Loggers waltzed their way out of the Cal Lu Fornia Invitational with a 2-1 record. 

Top Performers
Badger stole the show with 18 kills and an impressive .500 hitting percentage, picking up three blocks as well. Rush continued to rack up the assists, recording 43 and maintaining an assists/set average in the double digits - a stat that currently leads the nation. Pick also hit well with nine kills and a .500 hitting percentage. 

Coach's Thoughts
"Once again, our targeted serving and block adjustments allowed us to turn a dominant opposing attacker, usually .250, into a .160 hitter," said Loggers head coach Mark Massey. "Our reception quality unleashed Middle Maddie Badger for 18 kills. We feel very good about two quality wins vs CA teams this weekend. Makela Pick put together her best performance this year with 9 kills and strong blocking."

What Happens Next
The Loggers return home to start NWC play, kicking it off with a game against George Fox on September 19th. The game is set to begin at 7:00 pm at the Memorial Fieldhouse.