Erica Reetz Paces the Bulldogs with 12 Kills

The Bulldogs dropped a close first set and never recovered in a 3-0 (27-25, 25-15, 25-21) loss to Liberty on Friday night in day one action at the Fullerton Classic in Fullerton, Calif.  Erica Reetz, the reigning Ivy League Rookie of the Week, led Yale with 12 kills.   The Bulldogs, now 5-2 on the season, return to action on Saturday to face West Virginia and Cal State Fullerton.

            Katie Cordell had 15 digs and four kills for the Bulldogs, while Kendall Polan added 31 assists, seven digs and four kills.

            "Liberty is a good team, but at the same time, we're still having our ups and downs," Yale head coach Erin Appleman said.

            Down 21-16 in the first set, Yale showed fight.  Following a timeout, the Bulldogs rallied with kills from Haley Wessels and Polan, and two attack errors by Liberty to pull within one.  Yale eventually recovered to tie the match at 23 after a Reetz kill and an attack error. 

Liberty took back the lead at 25-24.  Bridget Hearst, who posted 11 kills for Yale, tied the set at 25 with a kill.   The Flames won the next two points to take the first set, which featured seven tied scores.

            Katie Cordell pulled the Bulldogs within 11-10 in the second set after a kill.  Liberty answered with seven consecutive points and eventually took the second set. 

            The third set had eight tied scores and four lead changes.  Down 21-19, Kelly Ozurovich's kill from McHaney Carter pulled the Bulldogs closer.  The Flames tallied four of the next five points, a run that was capped by a Hannah Anderson service ace, to complete the match. 

            Karyl Bacon had 13 kills and 10 digs to lead the Flames, who improved to 8-4 on the season.

            Yale takes on West Virginia at 3:30 p.m. EST and Cal State Fullerton at 10:30 EST on day two at the Fullerton Classic.