CLAREMONT, CA — The Leopards had match-point three times in the final set but the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens refused to go down, beating the University of La Verne volleyball team 3-2.

Set Scores: 25-22, 18-25, 21-15, 25-12, 19-17

Season Impact

With Saturday's result, the Leopards move to fourth place in the SCIAC with a 7-6 conference record and 13-11 overall record. The Leopards sit a game back of Cal Lutheran (8-5 SCIAC) and one game ahead of Pomona-Pitzer (6-7 SCIAC). The three squads each have three games left on their schedules.

The Sagehens improve to 12-11 overall.

Fifth Set

The Sagehens raced out to a 7-2 lead in the deciding frame capped by three Leopard errors. But La Verne responded and went on a 6-1 run to highlighted by a kill from Darrah Jones to tie the game 8-8.

La Verne's first match-point was set up by a kill from Ayana Mier, but Pomona-Pitzer's Isabel Kelly responded and evened the game with a kill of her own.

Rylee Callen and Jones each brought up match points for the Leopards but the Sagehens answered each time. Tied 17-17, Chloe Kerstein put the game away for Pomona-Pitzer.

Stat Leaders

Pi'ikea Clemens, Haley Celaya, and Jones each registered double-digit kills in the effort. 

Clemens totaled 15 kills and added 14 digs, two aces, two assists, and two blocks. Celaya added 15 kills, five digs, one block, and one assist. Jones slammed down 11 kills to go with three digs and a block.

Madison Maynes led the Leopards with 25 assists and dug 24 balls. The senior also added a pair of kills. Emily Heldenbrand notched a career-high 17 assists and added a team-high three aces. The freshman also added 14 digs. 

Emma Estigoy posted a game-high 28 digs, dished out eight assists, and served a pair of aces. Freshman Noelle Blumel contributed nine digs and three assists. 

Mier finished with eight kills two blocks, and Callen finished with six blocks and two kills.

The Sagehens were paced by Isabel Kell's 17 digs and Vick-Marie Addo-Ashong's 16 kills.

Next Game

The Leopards will host Occidental on Tuesday, October 29 at 7 p.m.