PORTLAND, Ore. - In their first preseason match of the 2024-25 season, the University of Nevada women's volleyball team faced a tough challenge, falling to California, 3-0, at Viking Pavilion in Portland, Oregon. The Wolf Pack fought hard but ultimately couldn't overcome California's strong offensive and defensive play. 

Nevada struggled to find their rhythm, particularly in their attack, finishing the match with a hitting percentage of .093. Junior outside hitter Gabby McLaughlin led with eight kills, but it wasn't enough to keep pace with California's consistent performance. Bella Snyder and Sia Liilii also contributed to the Wolf Pack offense with seven kills each. However, the team couldn't find the efficiency they needed, with 21 errors across the three sets. 

Defensively, Carissa Chainey was a bright spot for Nevada, leading the team with 12 digs. Despite her efforts, the Wolf Pack had difficulty containing California's offense, which was powered by Maggie Li's 10 kills and a .200 hitting percentage. Nevada's blocking game showed potential with 10 total team blocks, but California's relentless attack kept them on the back foot throughout the match. 

Nevada's best chance came in the third set, where they showed resilience and narrowed the gap to just three points at 22-20. However, a series of errors allowed Cal to pull away and secure the match 25-22.  

Head Coach Shannon Wyckoff-McNeal will look to build on the lessons learned from this opener as Nevada prepares for the rest of the preseason. The team's focus will be on improving their attack efficiency and minimizing unforced errors to better compete against tough opponents like California. 

The Wolf Pack will have an opportunity to bounce back in this preseason tournament as they face San Francisco tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 p.m.