Story by Sebastián Abdón Ibarra, Sports Information Student Assistant

LA VERNE, CA — The University of La Verne Leopards (7-12; 3-9) battled to the end, but were defeated by the fourth place Whittier College Poets (8-13; 6-5) in five sets 3-2. It was an important game for the Leos in their quest to reach the SCIAC playoffs as it could have given them a two-game swing for the fourth and final playoff spot. The Leos gave their all in a game that neither team was willing to let up as there were 52 tie scores and 27 lead changes, but fell just two points short.

Set Scores: 26-24, 16-25, 25-27, 25-21, 17-15

It was an extremely tight match right from the start. From the 10 point mark on, the game became more of a pendulum than a rollercoaster as each team alternated points one after the other. Later in the set, La Verne held an 18-16 lead that Whittier quickly erased to make it 18-18. From this point, it was a dog fight as neither team could pull away. In this set alone there were 20 tie scores and 10 lead changes between both sides.

With the score tied 23-23, Whittier made multiple effort digs during a long rally to steal a point from the Leos. This game was filled with many of La Verne's longest volleys of the entire season. It was a game-saving sequence for Whittier because Ayana Meir could have won the set for the Leos with her kill the very next play. Instead, it was 24-24 and the Poets took the next two points to take the set 26-24.

Ayana Meir was the leading scorer for the Leos with 17 kills and extended her double-digit kill streak to seven games. She also added five block assists. Emily Heldenbrand set her season-high in kills with 12 and also had 21 assists and 24 digs. Maddison Smith set a career high in digs with 40, which also led all players in the game. Jasmine Chandler led all players with seven block assists and also set a season-high in kills with six. Jordyn Patton led La Verne in assists with 25. 

It could have been understandable if the Leos came out flat in the second set after a grueling loss in the first set, but to their credit, they came alive and comfortably won the set 25-16. The Leos clinched the final two points on attack errors by Whittier.

Nine points were the largest margin of victory for either team on the day. An early 8-4 lead disappeared for the Leos and the third set became much more like the first toward the 18 point mark. However, La Verne was able to pull out another close one, winning 27-25.

The Poets showed some fight of their own by winning the fourth set 25-21 to push the game to a final fifth set.

The final set was as close as the previous four sets and came down to the wire. Neither team had a sizable lead throughout and the Poets squeaked out a 17-15 win to secure their sixth conference win this season.

Katelyn Popoff was the leading scorer in the game with 23 kills and a .203 kill percentage. She also had 39 digs, safe to say she was a big reason Whittier was able to pull out a win. Della Trimble led all players in assists with 49.

In order for La Verne to have a shot at the playoffs, they will most likely have to run the table from here on out and the four teams ahead of them have to lose out. This make-or-break part of their season begins with an away game on Saturday at 6 p.m. against Cal Lutheran.