THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., - It wasn't always pretty but the result was the same as No. 8 Cal Lutheran remained unbeaten in SCIAC play, defeating Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 3-2 (26-24,23-25, 25-23, 16-25, 15-13) Tuesday night at Gilbert Arena.
In the first set, Cal Lutheran fell behind early and trailed until a Claremont-Mudd-Scripps attacking error made it 17-17. From there, CLU would turn the pressure up relying on two kills by Allie Eason making it 23-22 in favor of CLU. After two CLU attacking errors made it 24-23 CMS, Kylie McLogan rallied the Regals and came up with two big kills to take the first set 26-24.
The second game saw another evenly-matched set with CMS finally taking the lead for good after a CLU attacking error making the score 22-21. The Regals would fight back to get it within one at 24-23 after an Eason kill but CMS would convert on game-point taking the second set 25-23.
In the third set, CLU raced out to a 13-8 lead and would build it to 19-14 before CMS would win four straight points to get it to 19-18. The Regals benefited from a CMS service error on the following point to get it 20-18 but a CMS kill and a block would even the score at 20-20.
Back-to-back attacking errors would push CLU's lead to 22-20 and after surrenduring an attack error, McLogan smashed home a kill to make it 23-21. A CMS kill and a service ace on consecutive points tied the match at 23-23. A kill by Shannon Pearson got the Regals to set-point and a big block by Pua Mo'Okini-Oliveria and Pearson closed it out with CLU taking the set 25-23.
In the early going of the fourth-set, the Regals fell behind 8-5 thanks two blocks by CMS. The Regals got it back to within one after Eason and Lauren Rohach combined for a block to make it 9-8 but CMS would respond with two blocks of their own and eventually pushed to lead back up to 13-8.
CMS kept their momentum going with strong defense and extended their lead to 19-11. McLogan finally broke CMS's streak of six straight points with a cross-court kill but a CLU net violation on the next play gave the Athenas an eight point lead again at 20-12. CMS would go on to win the fourth set 25-16.
In fifth and decisive set, Cal Lutheran's energy seemed renewed as Jena Chavez got the Regals off to a positive start with a kill and Eason followed that up with a service ace to make 2-0 CLU. CMS tied the score after back-to-back CLU attacking errors.
After exchanging points, Chavez came through for CLU with a service ace to make it 6-4 and a CMS four-hit violation extended the Regals lead to 7-4.
But CMS wouldn't go quietly. After two kills and a CLU attacking error, CMS evened the score at 7-7. A Rohach kill put the Regals up at the turn, 8-7.
CMS gained their first lead of the set after another CLU attacking error going up 10-9.
Undeterred, CLU fought back as an Eason kill tied it at 10-10 and the Regals retook the lead on a put-back kill by Pearson making it 11-10. Another Pearson kill down the line made it 13-11 and McLogan got the Regals to game-point on the second put-back kill of the set. After a fortunate bounce for the Athenas made it 14-12, CLU hurt themselves with another attacking error cutting their lead to 14-13. But the final bounce would go Cal Lutheran' s way as a CMS service error gave the Regals the win 15-13, escaping with a 3-2 five set win.
Statistically, the Regals were led by freshman Allie Eason, who finished with career-highs in kills with 19 and digs with 18. Eason discussed her acclimation to the college game, "I think it was just a matter of getting used to the setters and the pace of the college game." She continued, "I'm still working on getting to know the system but I think lately I've started to gain a little chemistry with the other players and confidence in myself too."
The Regals were also paced by a double-double by McLogan who had 15 kills and 19 digs. Pearson added 15 kills and three block assists.
Rachel Smith also had a career-night defensively digging out 32 balls including seven each in the last two sets.
Eason summed up the Regals gutsy performance, "I think we haven't played our best volleyball yet." She continued, "I think the fact that we've been going to five sets and have been down to big leads and yet, we've still pulled out wins. I think that shows a lot about the character of this team and it will be exciting to see us when we start playing at our best."
With the win Cal Lutheran improves to 12-3 and 4-0 in the SCIAC while Claremont-Mudd-Scripps falls to 10-4 and 3-3 in the SCIAC. Cal Lutheran will hit the court next this weekend when they host a double-header against Chapman at 1:00 p.m. and Redlands at 7:00 p.m. this Saturday at Gilbert Arena.
Box Score: CLU 3 CMS 2
