THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Cal Lutheran women's volleyball started Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) play with a win as they swept Whittier on Friday night. The scores of the match were 25-20, 25-19, and 25-21.
The Regals opened their season at three different tournaments with various nationally ranked teams, and it shows that the tough competition helped prepare them for a successful SCIAC run. Cal Lutheran has improved to 1-0 in conference and 5-4 overall as they completed their fourth sweep of the season.
Sophia Muller led the team with 11 kills, and
Kira Mortensen and
Kennedy Smith closely followed with 10 and eight, respectively. Mortensen also put up five blocks and libero
Keegan Corley collected 10 digs.
Tess Holbert kept the offense moving with 34 assists, and she also contributed three service aces.
The Poets attempted to keep each of the three sets within reach but the Regals managed to respond to every threat. Behind 14-16 in the first set, the Regals went on a four point scoring streak with kills from Mortensen, Muller, and two in a row from
Chloe Blue. It was back and forth again between the Poets and Regals before another four point run featuring a kill from
Emily Ford and blocks from Mortensen and Smith.
Cal Lutheran turned it up a notch in the second set. Tied 7-7, the Regals scored six in a row thanks to back to back kills from Muller, two Holbert aces, and multiple errors by the Poets. Cal Lutheran held down the momentum, keeping their lead through the remainder of the set.
The Regals continued to dominate the rest of the match. Down 10-12 in the third set, two kills from Caitlyn Murphy and Whittier errors put them back on top 15-12. The Poets fought back but it was nothing that Cal Lutheran couldn't handle. They continued to chip away with kills from Smith, Mortensen, Muller, and Holbert. Finally, the match concluded on a Poets service error.
The Regals continue the season on Saturday, September 28th. They look to make it four straight wins as they face Chapman on the road at 4:00 PM.
