By Cyanna Rosa
San Antonio, TX - The University of La Verne volleyball team traveled to Texas for the 2022 Trinity Fall Classic.
La Verne dominated in the opening match against Texas Lutheran (23-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-21,15-8) winning in convincing fashion. Outside hitter, Mya Ray, had a kill percentage of 36% in the game to start the tournament and lead the Leopards to their first win. The Leopards fell behind at the beginning of the first set down by 8 before embarking upon a run. The Leopards defense, Madison Hudson and Kari Esseff, led to the first tie of the set 22-22 but would fall short. The second and third set were tight matchups, but the fourth mimicked the first set with a different outcome. The Leopards were kill-happy, with Jordyn Patton and Noelani Soma tying up the set (2-2); and ending the game with the first win of the tournament.
The Leopards continued the tournament later that afternoon, facing Southwestern. The Leopards would win their second match of the day (26-24, 10-25, 25-20, 25-20) finishing the day 2-0. Noelani Soma and Mya Ray led Leopard with 10 kills each. Kari Esseff had a block streak to close the five-point lead Southwestern had in the fourth and final set. Assisted by Mya Ray and Madison Hudson, Esseff's three back-to-back blocks awarded the Leopards a tie game 7-7 to begin the tight race to the win (25-20).
Saturday would see the Leopards compete in two games, facing the Trinity University Tigers and the Juniata College Eagles. The Leopards would fall to Trinity 3-0 and Juaniata 3-0.
La Verne freshman Mya Ray was named to the Trinity Fall Classic All-Tournament Team.
The Leopards return home to face Redlands on Tuesday night at 7pm.