Volleyball Shows Fight in Loss to No. 2 Cal Lutheran

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The University of La Verne volleyball team showed that it can hang with the best of them in a four-set (25-21, 25-15, 18-25, 25-18) loss to No. 2 Cal Lutheran on Saturday evening at Gilbert Arena.

Players of the game: Destinee Sales followed up her 10-kill, 3-block performance against Whittier with and identical 10-kill, 3-block night. Her 10 kills were a team high.

Ashlyn Cross was the most efficient La Verne hitter with eight kills in 19 attempts. She was also solid on defense, leading the team with 11 digs to go along with two block assists.

How it happened: La Verne put together a complete performance in a convincing Game 3 win. The Leopards kept the Regals on their heels with sharp serves, moved the ball around and attacked with purpose. Brittany Yaxley led the team with six kills in the set and La Verne hit .310 as a team in the frame.

Despite playing against the best team they will face all year in a hostile environment, the Leopards did not veer away from the game plan that's served them well so far. The Leopards have been riding a balanced attack to a fast start and setters Tiffany Mancuso and Kailey Faust once again spread the ball around. Four players notched at least five kills and three added four kills apiece.

The Leopards were also strong at the net, recording 11 total blocks (4 solo, 14 assists).

Service game the difference? As the service game goes, so go the Leopards.

At least that's been the case so far. The Leopards registered three aces against Cal Lutheran tonight, but accumulated 12 errors. In its five-set loss against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Sept. 20, La Verne committed 15 errors and had just two aces.

In its six conference wins, La Verne averaged 12.8 aces to eight errors. In the losses, the Leopards settled for three aces and 13.5 errors.

What it means: The Leopards drop to 11-3 overall and 6-2 in SCIAC play, but showed that they can play with anyone in the country when things are clicking. They will work to maintain that high level of performance when they host teams from around the country in next weekend's Leo Invitational.

Up next: La Verne will take on Endicott on Day 1 of Leo Invitational on Oct. 10. First serve is at 6:30 p.m.