WHITTIER, Calif. – Cal Lutheran women's volleyball (12-3, 5-2 SCIAC) took down Whittier (12-7, 4-3 SCIAC) on the road on Saturday evening, winning three-straight sets after dropping the opening set.
Tarin Rueckert collected a team-high 14 kills, adding three blocks as the Regals prevailed 17-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25-23.
Facing an early 9-3 deficit, Cal Lutheran was unable to take a lead at any point in the first set, falling to Whittier 25-17. Rueckert tallied three kills and a block, while
Kaylee Clayton contributed four kills and
Kennedy Smith added three of her own.
The Regals found themselves down again midway through the second set, as Whittier took a 15-14 lead. Cal Lutheran responded by taking 11 of the next 13 points to capture a 25-17 set win. Clayton provided three kills during that run, and Smith delivered two service aces.
A back-and-forth third set that saw five lead changes was tied at 22-22 with a huge momentum swing at stake. Cal Lutheran locked in to win the ensuing three points, capping that stretch with a block from Smith and
Aby Tibesar, who had two blocks in the set. Rueckert dominated the set with five kills and a block, while Clayton and
Emily Ford each recorded three kills and a block.
The fourth and final set was full of runs, and the Regals led 22-17 late. The Poets responded with six-straight points to take a 23-22 lead.
Kellee Roesel called a timeout to calm her squad, and Cal Lutheran countered with three-straight points, including a
Madeline Magnani kill, to seal the match. The Regals capitalized on 11 errors by Whittier in the set.
Rueckert led Cal Lutheran with 14 kills (.520%) and three blocks. Tibesar also recorded three blocks, adding six kills. Clayton had an impressive all-around performance with 13 kills, one block, and 14 digs. Smith led the team with two service aces, adding eight kills, two blocks, and five digs.
Reese Balagot contributed five kills, an assist, a block, and a dig.
Makenna Kawamura and
Kylee Grimm continued to rotate at setter effectively, registering 17 and 15 assists, and six and seven digs, respectively. Grimm added two service aces.
Keegan Corley predictably led her team in digs with 17, adding eight assists and a service ace.
Cal Lutheran will look to continue its winning ways in a home matchup against Pomona-Pitzer on Tuesday evening at 7pm.