SURPRISE, Ariz. – The OUAZ women's volleyball team opened their 2019 season on Wednesday by dropping a match to Benedictine Mesa in three sets at Willow Canyon High School.
 
Playing a Benedictine Mesa (2-3) team with multiple matches already played this season – and with multiple expected contributors sitting out – OUAZ (0-1) couldn't match the offensive effort of the visitors in falling 25-8, 25-18, 25-12.
 
Mesa ended the night with a 36-19 advantage in kills and the Redhawks hit .475 to just .041 from the Spirit. OUAZ also struggled in serve receive where they allowed 12 service aces.
 
Leni Barltey provided the Spirit with seven digs and one ace from her libero position. Kenzie Ray led the team with six kills in her first collegiate match.
 
BenU Mesa hit .417 or higher in all three sets, including a .545 percentage in the third set. OUAZ had just 17 digs and one block as a team in an effort to slow the attack of their opposition.
 
The Spirit are now off from competition for two weeks before they open Golden State Athletic Conference play against Westmont on September 6 at Willow Canyon High School.