LA VERNE, Calif. — Cal Lutheran women's volleyball (8-3, 1-2 SCIAC) pushed #1 La Verne to five sets on Friday night, ultimately falling 3-2 in a tightly contested conference matchup.

The Regals opened strong in the first, riding early kills from Kaylee Clayton and Tarin Rueckert to establish control. Cal Lutheran pulled away late for a 25-19 win and a 1-0 match lead.

La Verne (13-0, 4-0 SCIAC) responded in the second with a long run of points midway through the frame. Despite late kills from Clayton that cut the deficit to two, the Leopards ultimately held on to take the set 25-22, evening the match 1-1. The Leopards carried that momentum into the third, capitalizing on Regal attack errors and stringing together runs to secure a 25-17 decision and go ahead 2-1. 

Refusing to fold, Cal Lutheran battled back in the fourth. La Verne held set point at 24-23, but back-to-back errors by the Leopards opened the door. Smith delivered a key kill and sealed the frame with a swing off a Makenna Kawamura set, lifting the Regals to a 26-24 win and forcing a decisive fifth set.

The fifth frame was tight from the start, with Rueckert and Madeline Magnani keeping the Regals even. La Verne pulled ahead 11-6 behind two aces from Mya Ray, but Cal Lutheran rallied back with kills from Smith and Clayton and a late block to tie it at 13-13. La Verne regained control down the stretch and ultimately secured the set, 15-13.

The match proved to be evenly fought, with the teams nearly identical in points (108-103), kills (51-53), and assists (49-52). While Cal Lutheran held the edge in digs, La Verne's efficiency at the net and advantage in service aces ultimately proved the difference in the narrow five-set battle. Still, the Regals showed grit throughout, pushing the Leopards to the limit in one of the closest matches of the season.

Cal Lutheran will look to get back in the win column tomorrow as it hosts Redlands at 6pm. Before the match, Kellee Roesel will be recognized as she delivered her 400th career win as the Regals Head Coach earlier in the week.