THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Cal Lutheran women's volleyball (17-6,10-5 SCIAC) dropped its final home match of the regular season to Whittier (18-9,10-5 SCIAC) on Friday evening in four sets, 25-23, 22-25, 23-25, 19-25. Five Regals seniors were honored in a pregame ceremony, and junior libero Keegan Corley reached the 1,000 career digs milestone in the effort.

Caitlin Murphy, Olivia Ingelse, Jordan Boals, Kylee Grimm, and Alex Hayes were recognized on senior night before the game in a nice celebration on the court.

In the opening set, Cal Lutheran got off to a hot start as it built a 10-4 lead. Aby Tibesar, Madeline Magnani, and Kaylee Clayton contributed heavily to the early run, each with several blocks and kills. Whittier clawed back to tie the set at 15-15, but more stellar play from Clayton and a Corley service ace brought the Regals' lead to 21-19. The Poets remained feisty, claiming a 22-21 lead, but Cal Lutheran won four of the next five points to secure the first set on a kill from Tarin Rueckert.

Cal Lutheran rode that momentum to an early 5-1 lead in set two behind a pair of Corley service aces. During that span, a dig from Corley that led to a Magnani kill after a long rally marked Corley's 1,000th career dig in less than three full seasons with Cal Lutheran. A block from Magnani and Rueckert gave the Regals a 12-8 advantage, then another block from Clayton and Tibesar later in the set made the score 20-17. Whittier would go on to claim eight of the next 10 points to tie the match up at one set apiece.

The Regals remained in control for the beginning of the third set, extending their lead to 17-8 after two more aces from Corley. However, the Poets took 15 of the next 18 points, with Cal Lutheran only able to convert three kills from Clayton during that span. Magnani, Tibesar, and Emily Ford got going for three quick points to tie the set at 23-23, but Whittier managed to win the next two points to take the third set.

With the momentum on their side now, the Poets jumped out to a 9-3 lead in set four. Olivia Fernandes, Reese Balagot, Tibesar, and Corley registered a few kills to cut the deficit to 9-13, but Whittier kept its composure and didn't allow the Regals to get any closer for the remainder of the set. The Poets took the set 25-19, icing the match in four sets.

Clayton tallied a career-high 19 kills, adding two aces, three block assists, and 16 digs. Magnani, a freshman, provided 10 kills and career-highs of five block assists and seven digs in an impressive all-around performance. Tibesar, a transfer from Keiser, recorded a season-high six blocks (two solo) up front.

Rueckert totaled seven kills, three assists, 3 aces, five block assists, and five digs, contributing in every facet of the game.

On her senior night, Grimm set a career-high with 23 assists, adding 14 digs. Makenna Kawamura put up numbers at the setter position as well with 22 assists and 18 digs.

Corley collected 26 digs during her milestone evening, bringing her over 1,000 in her career and her 2025 season total to 477, which ranks fourth all-time in single-season program history.

The Regals will finish their regular season at Pomona-Pitzer tomorrow evening at 6pm.