LA VERNE, CA — The University of La Verne volleyball team had set point in the opening frame and never trailed in third set Saturday morning in day two of the Pacific Coast Classic.

But the Leopards couldn't overcome a 2-0 deficit falling No. 6 Johson & Wales (RI).

Set Scores: 28-26, 25-20, 23-25, 25-21

Stat Leaders

Senior Kelsie Sievers and sophomore Emma Estigoy both racked up career-high kills in the match. Sievers led all players with 20 kills and Estigoy added 13 of her own.

Freshman Haley Celaya also had a solid all-around game, finishing with 11 kills and 21 digs.

Senior Kristen Sanchez totaled team-high 27 digs to go with three assists. Madison Maynes dished 52 assists and added 13 digs. Freshman defensive specialist Julia Trujillo had 13 digs and three aces. 

Katelyn Winiecki finished the match with nine kills and two blocks.

How It Happened

In a hotly contested first set where neither team led by more than three points, Trujillo served up an ace to give the Leopards a set point opportunity with the score at 26-25. The Wildcats took advantage of a La Verne attack error and rallied off the next three points to take the opening set.

The Leopards caught fire in the must-win third set, leading from beginning to end. La Verne took their biggest lead of the set off a Darrah Jones kill that put the Leopards up 24-18 on the way to the set victory.

It looked like the momentum would carry to the following set with La Verne leading for the first half of the fourth. But a kill by Kate Walker put the Wildcats up 14-13, a lead they would never relinquish.  

Next Game

The Leopards conclude the Pacific Coast Classic today at 4:30 p.m. against Franklin & Marshall.