CLAREMONT, Calif. - A week after facing American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) now No. 18 La Verne on the road, the No. 7 Cal Lutheran women's volleyball traveled to No. 12 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps for another Top-25 match. At a jam-packed Linde Events Center this evening, the Regals were unable to rally for a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) win, coming up short in a 3-2 (25-16, 25-21, 30-32, 16-14) loss that featured an epic third set and extra points in the fifth.
Offensive Highlights: Junior Michelle Lawrence led the way for Cal Lutheran with 21 kills while Sarah Pappas (13), Allie Eason (12) and Monica Lundgren (10) all reached double figures as well. Freshman Amanda Roberts was one shy with nine. Jamie Smith put up a match-high 51 assists and Easonwas responsible for all three CLU service aces.
Defensive Highlights: CLU looked to Lawrence and Lundgren for four block apiece while Pappas provided three and Roberts recorded two. A trio of Regals notched double figure digs with Lawrence and Nicki Tetherow finishing with 27 apiece while Roberts totaled 22.
The Opponent: The Athenas hit at a slightly higher overall clip of .186 tonight with a match-high 22 kills from Nicole Kerkhof. Mikena Werner was tops on the court tonight with 33 digs.
Notables: CMS took the first set 25-18 and although CLU led most of the second, the Athenas rallied to steal the game 25-21. The third set was the longest of the season for the Regals who led 21-20 before the teams exchanged point-for-point until a decision was made at 32-30 on a block from Lawrence and Lundgren. Cal Lutheran controlled the fourth set and held an early advantage in the fifth. The Regals edged the Athenas in kills 67-63. In the first meeting between the teams, CLU swept past CMS on Sept. 26. Both teams have been ranked in each AVCA Poll of 2015.
Cal Lutheran (20-4, 10-2 SCIAC) is home tomorrow evening, Saturday, Oct. 24 for a 6:00 p.m. first serve against Occidental at the Gilbert Arena.
Box Score: CMS 3, CLU 2
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