LA VERNE, Calif. — The No. 25 University of La Verne volleyball team opened their 2017 campaign with a pair of victories, including a big win against No. 10 UT Dallas.

La Verne 3, UT Dallas 2, 

The Leopards jumped out to a two-set lead and rallied in the fifth set to beat the Comets 25-22, 25-18, 10-15, 22-25, 15-13.

After the Comets took sets three and four, neither team could manage a steady lead early in the fifth set. But the Leopards went on a 6-1 run midway through the set, capitalizing off errors by UT Dallas, three kills from Marisa Rojo, and another by Alexia Balistreri to go up 9-5. 

The Comets couldn't close the gap from there, and junior Kristen Sanchez sealed the win with a kill off a pass from Natalie Barragan.

La Verne was led by junior Delaney Lynch and Marisa Rojo who combined for 27 kills in the match. Lynch finished the game with a team high 14 kills. 

Balistreri played big at the net, finishing the game with seven total blocks. Madison Maynes finished the game with 23 assists with Barragan adding 17 of her own. Sanchez led the Leopards with 19 digs. Mireya Rojo finished the game with 16 digs to go with seven kills.

La Verne 3, Wisconsin-Eau Claire 2

In their final game of the day, La Verne added another close five-set win (12-25, 27-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-12) to end the day a perfect 2-0.

Marisa Rojo and Lynch had another big game for the Leopards. Rojo finished with 15 kills with 12 digs and Lynch totaled 14 kills.

Sanchez had a big game defensively, ending the match with a game leading 33 digs. Balistreri and Kelsie Sievers combined for 9 blocks in the game.

Maynes led the team with 22 assists and Barragan added 20 assists of her own.

Next Game: The Leopards finish off the Pacific Coast Classic tomorrow with another pair of games. La Verne opens the day with a 11:15 a.m. match against Union (N.Y.) and ends the day with a 6 p.m. game against Brockport.