LA VERNE, Calif. — Cal Lutheran women's volleyball battled No. 23 La Verne on Friday night. The Regals fell to the Leopards 19-25, 19-25, 14-25.
 
The Regals have faced many of the top teams in the country. La Verne being ranked makes it five top-25 teams Cal Lutheran has played this season. The Regals are now 1-1 in conference play and 3-9 overall.

Sadie Peete led the way with seven kills. Tarin Rueckert was next with six and Caitlin Murphy, Tess Holbert, and Kira Mortensen all had four. 
 
Holbert showed off an all-around game as she was everywhere on the court. On top of the kills, she had 19 assists, nine digs, and one block. 
 
Alysha Buffini and Amy Buffini, sisters, recorded the most digs. Al. Buffini recorded a team-high 14 digs and Am. Buffini added 10. 
 
The Regals were up 9-8 in the first set as they put the Leopards to the test. The Leopards answered the call with an 8-1 run and took the lead. The Regals fought back and closed the lead to two multiple times, 16-14 and 19-17, but could not overcome the deficit. 
 
The Leopards used the first set momentum and opened an early 8-3 lead in the second, forcing a timeout from the Regals. La Verne used the distance to win the second set and went onto win the third. 
 
The Regals return home for their next conference match. They host Whittier on Tuesday at 7 p.m.