THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Cal Lutheran women's volleyball coach Kellee Roesel doesn't use it as a recruiting pitch, but she may want to start.
Come to CLU and graduate with four Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles.
The third-ranked Regals (26-2, 15-1) celebrated Senior Night on Saturday by clinching their fifth straight outright SCIAC title.
Behind 15 kills, nine digs and six aces from junior outside hitter Allie Eason, CLU defeated Whittier 25-15, 25-13, 25-21 at Gilbert Arena.
CLU's senior class is the second straight that has known nothing but clutching the SCIAC trophy after CLU's final regular-season match.
"I had no idea what I was getting into, but I knew it was a good program and I was really excited to come," said CLU senior setter Kennedy Peters, who finished with 18 assists. "It has definitely exceeded my expectations and I couldn't have chosen a better school. I am really lucky to be here."
Eason dominated the first set for CLU. The Buena High graduate had eight kills on 13 attempts and served four straight aces to give CLU a comfortable lead that was never threatened.
Whittier (8-17, 6-10) held an early advantage in the second set before CLU went ahead for good on a kill by Pua Mo'okini-Oliveira and steadily pulled away.
The third set was tight throughout. Whittier grabbed a three-point lead midway through, but Michelle Lawrence and Dianna Rohrer took control offensively for the Regals.
Rohrer's kill set up match point for CLU, and the Regals clinched the SCIAC title on a service error by Whittier's Haley Whyte.
"This is really a tribute to our returning kids. They envisioned this the day after we lost (in the NCAA final) last year," Roesel said. "They came in with so much energy and so full of love for the program and confident. They said: 'We are going to do it and that is how it is going to be and that is all there is to it.' "
Lawrence finished with eight kills for CLU. Senior Jena Chavez had 15 assists and Nicki Tetherow had 11 digs.
The Regals will host the SCIAC Tournament, beginning on Thursday night against Pomona-Pitzer. The championship match is scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m. with an NCAA berth on the line.
"It's really special. I am really proud of this team," Kennedy said. "This team has been through a lot of adversity and it feels great to finish strong. But we know we have a lot left to do, so that is exciting."
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