Leopards' Upset Bid Falls Short

CLAREMONT, CA — Haley Celaya tied a game-high in kills and the University of La Verne volleyball won set two to tie the match against No. 4 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.

But the Athenas pulled away in the third set and won the fourth to spoil the Leopards upset bid 3-1

Set Scores: 25-11, 26-28, 25-20, 25-18

Stat Leaders

Celaya led a trio of Leopards that finished with double-digit kills. The sophomore finished with 13 kills, seven digs, and three blocks.

Ayana Mier registered 11 kills, three blocks, and a dig. Emily Cohen added 10 kills on and two blocks.

Madison Maynes notched a game-high 40 assists with 15 digs, one block, and one kill. Emma Estiogy 22 digs and two aces.

CMS was led by Melanie Moore's 13 kills and Sarah Tritschler's 26 digs.

How It Happened

After the Athenas ran away with the first set, it looked like they would do the same in the second after jumping out to a 14-6 lead.

But the Leopards responded with a 10-2 run highlighted by a kill from Emily Heldenbrand and an ace from Estigoy. 

The squads stayed neck and neck until CMS reached set point with a 26-25 lead. Mier stepped up and evened the set with a kill and an ace by Heldenbrand brought up set point for the Leopards. An attack error by the Athenas gave La Verne the frame.

It was more of the same in the next set with the squads tied 20-20 following a kill by Mier. But CMS rallied and closed out the set on a 5-0 run. The Athenas jumped out to a 12-5 lead in the fourth set and La Verne couldn't recover.

Season Impact

The loss snaps the La Verne's five-game winning streak and drops the Leopards to 8-6 overall and 2-1 in conference play.

CMS improves to 11-2 overall and 2-0 in the SCIAC.

Next Game

The Leopards return home this Friday for a 4 p.m. match against Cal Lutheran.

Watch Live
Download the SCIAC TV App
Follow ULV Athletics on Twitter
Like us on Facebook
Watch on Youtube
Follow us on Instagram