LA VERNE, CA — The University of La Verne volleyball team hit .321 and the Leopards dominated the Occidental College Tigers on their way to a 3-0 sweep.

Season Impact

With the win, the Leopards keep control in fourth place in the SCIC with an 8-6 conference record and improve to 14-11 overall. 

With just two games remaining, the Leopards sit a game behind Cal Lutheran (15-10, 9-5 SCIAC) in the conference standings. As it currently stands, the Leopards would play No. 5 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the opening round of the SCIAC Tournament. La Verne can claim a postseason berth with a win at Redlands (8-17, 5-9 SCIAC) on Friday.

The Tigers fall to 2-23 overall and 0-14 in the SCIAC.

Stat Leaders

Darrah Jones had an outstanding night for the Leopards. The senior finished with an incredible .476 hitting percentage and totaled 11 kills. The Canyon Lake native added two blocks, three digs, and served an ace to end the match.

Ayana Mier led all players with 12 kills off .393 hitting. The freshman rattled off four kills in a row to help extend the Leopards' lead to 21-16 late in the second set.

Pi'ikea Clemens also finished the night with .393 hitting with 11 kills and zero attack errors. The junior had a great all-around game and added two blocks, two aces, three assists, and 13 digs.

Emma Estigoy had a solid night for the Leopards and notched a game-high 18 digs to go with three assists. Madison Maynes led all players with 29 assists. The senior also added six digs and one kill off a dump ball in the third set.

Freshman Emily Heldenbrand totaled 15 digs, dished out six assists, and finished with one kill on her only attack of the night. The Missouri native closed out the second set with three straight aces.

Rylee Callen came up big defensively, totaling three blocks to go with five kills, two digs, and an ace. Jasmine Chandler finished with two kills and two blocks.

Taylor Gorretta, Lauren Duffy, and Madelene Sellergren each finished with six kills for Occidental.

Next Game

The Leopards return to the court on Friday when they travel to Redlands for a 7 p.m. game on Friday.