LA VERNE, Calif. - Tonight, No. 6 Cal Lutheran and No. 21 La Verne, two American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Top-25 teams that are also the top two Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) squads clashed inside the Frantz Athletic Court Tents at La Verne. A highly anticipated match went to five sets and it was the Leopards who walked away victorious 3-2 (16-25, 17-25, 26-24, 25-22, 15-11).
Offensive Highlights: The Regals combined to hit .137 with 59 kills as a team. Michelle Lawrence led all players with 19 kills while Allie Eason and Sarah Pappas put down 14 kills apiece. Jamie Smith handed out 50 assists. Overall, CLU earned six service aces with both Amanda Roberts and Nicki Tetherow finishing with two.
Defensive Highlights: A solid blocking effort helped the Regals turn an early deficit into a lead in game one. CLU combined for 27 total blocks tonight. Lawrence and Monica Lundgren had a solo stop apiece and Pappas recorded eight block assists, one ahead of Lawrence who added seven. Lundgren finished with five. A trio of CLU players had 20 digs including Eason, Lawrence and Tetherow.
The Opponent: The Leopards hit .244 in the fourth set and .333 in the final game to steal the win. Destinee led the way with 17 kills, Tiffany Mancuso recorded 42 assists with four service aces and Kristen Sanchez notched 18 digs.
Notables: Tonight was a complete reversal of the first meeting between the teams on Sept. 15 when LV took a 2-0 lead at the Gilbert Arena before the Regals rallied for a 3-2 victory. Tonight it was the same scenario that went in favor of La Verne. CLU saw its set win-streak end at 27 games and its match win-streak end at 10. It was the fourth double-double of the season for Eason and seventh for Lawrence. It was the most digs this season for each player.
Next Up: Cal Lutheran (19-3, 9-1 SCIAC) returns to the friendly confines of the Gilbert Arena tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 17, to play Whittier at 6:00 p.m.
Box Score: LV 3, CLU 2
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