A solid opening win and a near-miss against one of the nation's best summed up the University of La Verne volleyball team's first day at the Pikes Peak Challenge in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
The Leopards debuted with a 3-1 win over Otterbein in the afternoon before pushing tournament host and fifth-ranked Colorado College to a fifth set in a 3-2 defeat later that evening.
The matchup against the Tigers featured the West Region finalist from a year ago, with the Leopards taking the opening set 26-24 before Colorado College would win the next two frames 25-14 and 25-21 to grab a 2-1 set advantage. The Leos responded by claiming the fourth set 25-23 to force a fifth and deciding set. The Tigers (3-0) would prevail 15-12 to remain unbeaten on the young season.
La Verne collected 9 total team blocks and recorded 73 digs to hold Colorado College to a .135 hitting percentage. Offensively, the Leos were paced by Kendall Kraiss and Randi Toomay, who collected 10 and 9 kills, respectively.
Earlier against Otterbein, the Leopards topped Otterbein by scores of 25-20, 10-25, 25-10, 25-15. La Verne tallied 15 service aces against the Cardinals, with Toomay and Nicole Wandler each delivering 5 aces. Toomay paced the Leos in kills with 11.
The Leopards (1-1) conclude tournament action Saturday against Carleton at 9 am PDT followed by Illinois Wesleyan at 3 pm PDT.
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