The UC Santa Cruz women's volleyball team took down William Jessup 3-1 (25-15, 24-26, 25-21, 25-21) in their home opener at Kaiser Permanente. The Banana Slugs improved to 4-1 on the young season.

UC Santa Cruz started out hot, closing the first set on an 11-5 run and hitting .270 to go up 1-0. The second set had UC Santa Cruz at set point before the Warriors rallied to take the last five points -courtesy of an assisted block by Paulina Harris and Jordyn MacCuish, plus an ace by Jordyn's sister Taylor- take the set and tie the match.

The Banana Slugs then found their composure to take the last two sets. After Jessup rallied in the fourth twice to tie it at 14-all, a pair of kills by First Year Drew Bryant sparked a 6-1 run to give UC Santa Cruz a 20-15 lead. Jessup clawed back to within one at 22-21, but UC Santa Cruz finished off the match with a Sydney Ahrendt kill and a pair from Audrey Gilbert.

Overall, the Banana Slugs hit .201 and held Jessup to just .045. They also outblocked the Warriors 9-4 and had 11 aces. 
Ahrendt led a balanced offense with a team-high 10 kills. Bryant had eight kills on 20 swings and five block assists. Peyton Tazelaar had seven kills and a team-high three aces. Ashley Magley had six kills. Emily Pasion had a career-high 26 digs plus nine assists and two aces. Marina Gonzalez led Jessup (3-3) with a match-high 15 kills.

UC Santa Cruz heads north this weekend to compete in the Oregon Trail Invite in Forest Grove, Oregon.