Story by Sports Information Student Assistant Sebastián Abdón Ibarra

The University of La Verne volleyball team made their return to the court with two games to begin the Pacific Coast Classic. It was the first time the squad competed since the 2019 season. The Leopards got off to a slow start dropping the opener in straight sets to George Fox but responded and won their second game, erasing a 10 point deficit in the third set to sweep Eastern Nazarene.

"They love being back, they are so excited. I think being out for that long, they are just pumped to compete. We were up and down a little today, but at the end of the day we are here and we are playing and that is all we can ask for," said Head Coach Jeff Hendershot.

The third set offered those in attendance a thrilling ending as the Leopards overcame a 15-5 deficit to win the set 25-22 and complete the sweep. In the set, La Verne scored six unanswered points to get back into contention and followed with another rally of eight unanswered points to give them a 23-20 lead. 

"We are inexperienced, we have 13 new players and the one thing that we do have is that they work really hard, they are super competitive, and they are excited to be playing. So they are going to give it everything they have and the score does not matter to them, they are just going to go," said Hendershot.

Kari Esseff, Mier, and freshman outside hitter Noelani Soma led the La Verne attack with eight, 10, and eight kills respectively. Junior setter Emily Heldenbrand and libero Madison Smith were excellent on defense with 16 and 15 digs apiece. 

In the season opener, the Leopards looked dominant early against George Fox and jumped out to an early 8-2 lead in the first set. Soma notched several kills early to help build the early lead.

George Fox rallied back to tie the set at 11 and kept up the momentum as the Bruins picked up six straight points to make the deficit 17-11.

Later in the set, the Leopards looked to shift momentum after winning a tiring rally to cut the deficit to 20-14. But the Bruins scored five straight times to end the first set 25-14.

The second set would be a much tighter affair that included six tie scores and three lead changes. La Verne stayed close with the Bruins but couldn't overtake the lead, falling 25-23.

George Fox jumped out to an early lead in the third set only for La Verne to battle back and keep it close. The two sides took it down to the wire with all three tie scores coming within the final seven points. The Leos took a 21-20 lead and looked poised to force a fourth set, but the Bruins immediately bounced back and went on to close out the game.

Mier led La Verne with 12 kills. Smith did her part to keep the ball off the ground with the freshman libero totaling 16 digs to go with six assists.

Kassandra Staton, freshman outside hitter, and Bailey LeBreton, sophomore middle blocker, led the way for the Bruins with 11 and nine kills respectively. Fifth-year senior Sophia Lawrence libero was efficient on defense with 20 digs.