LA VERNE, Calif. — Three Leopards totaled double-digit kills and the No. 24 University of La Verne volleyball team battled to a fifth set against No. 8 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.

But the Athenas rallied in the fifth set to defeat the Leopards Tuesday night.

Set Scores: 17-25, 25-16, 24-26, 25-22, 15-10

Marisa Rojo led all players with 17 kills and added 11 digs and a block. Alexia Balistreri and Kelsie Sievers both added double-digit kills, each finishing with 12. Balistreri also had a big game at the net finishing with seven total blocks.

La Verne dominated early in the match, jumping out to an 11-3 lead to open the first set. Katelyn Winiecki, Kelsie Sievers, Rojo, and Balestreri each put down three kills in the frame. 

The Athenas even the match 1-1 after the second set, benefiting from .348 hitting.

Rojo helped put the Leopards back up in the third set, finishing with five of her kills in the set. Winiecki added four kills of her own and La Verne jumped back ahead 2-1. Winiecki finished with nine kills in the game.

After Claremont-Mudd-Scripps won the fourth set, the Leopards and Athenas battled in the fifth set. With the set tied 6-6, the Athenas scored the next three points to retake the lead. The Leopards benefited from a pair of CMS errors and an ace from Madison Maynes, but couldn't jump back in front.

Kristen Sanchez finished with a game-high 16 digs. Maynes added career-high 47 assists with 15 digs.

Sarah Yauchzee recorded 12 digs. Sievers added four blocks.

Season Impact: The Leopards move to 16-6 overall and 9-3 in SCIAC play. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps improves to 18-5 overall and 10-1 in the SCIAC.

Next Game: The Leopards travel to Chapman University this Saturday to face the Panthers in a 4 p.m. match-up.