LA VERNE, Calif. — The No. 14 University of La Verne volleyball team battled back to force a fifth set, but the Scranton Royals pulled away late in the final frame to beat the Leopards 3-2.

Set Scores: 25-22, 24-26, 26-24, 21-25, 15-12

Delaney Lynch stayed busy all match, finishing with a game-high 21 kills. Katelyn Winiecki and freshman Kiana Valdivieso each put down double-digit kills. Winiecki totaled 12 kills to go with eight block assists. Valdivieso finished with 10 kills and 12 digs. 

After dropping the opening set, the Leopards bounced back in the second, winning in extra points 26-24 with the final two points coming off blocks by Lynch and Alexia Balistreri.

The roles flipped in the next set with the Royals winning 26-24. 

After falling behind 11-9 in the fourth set, the Leopards went on a 10-4 run highlighted by a pair of kills from both Lynch and Rojo to take the 19-15 lead. Lynch added the final point in the frame to force the fifth set.

But with the fifth set tied 10-10, the Royals went on a 5-2 run to take the game.

Scranton was led by Kristin Kirwan's 17 kills.

Season Impact: The Leopards fall to 12-5 overall. Scranton improves to 23-2 overall.

Next Match: La Verne concludes the Leopard Invitational tonight at 6 p.m. against the UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs.