LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Women's volleyball hosted the UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs in its home opener Wednesday, Sept. 12, falling 3-0 at Rush Gymnasium, 25-22, 25-15, 25-21.
 
The Tigers started off hot, winning five of the match's first seven points. The Tigers put three balls down while adding an ace. The Banana Slugs evened it up midway through the first set, but a 6-0 Oxy run put the Tigers back up four, 16-12. UC Santa Cruz ended the set winning 13 of the next 19 points.
 
The Tigers struggled in the second set, hitting a match-low .143, but bounced back in the third game, closing in on an opportunity to force a fourth set.
 
After trailing six early in the set, Kaitlyn Cajigas racked up four kills to help put the Tigers withing one, 22-21. The Banana Slugs, however, won the final three points to secure the sweep.
 
Cajigas led the way with eight kills, while Eliana Channell was  effective in the middle, hitting .429.
 
The Tigers fell to 2-4 with the loss. Their next game is set for Saturday, Sept. 21 in Irvine against Westcliff.