CLAREMONT, Calif. — Cal Lutheran women's volleyball (7-2, 0-1 SCIAC) battled to the wire on Friday night, pushing CMS to five sets before falling 3-2 in a back-and-forth SCIAC matchup.

The Regals opened strong, trading points behind sharp swings from Emily Ford and Kaylee Clayton, but CMS used a late run to claim the first set 25-20. Cal Lutheran answered in the second, as Tarin Rueckert and Alex Hayes powered the attack with key kills to secure a 25-23 win and even the match.

CMS regained the edge in the third, pulling away late for a 25-16 victory. Refusing to back down, the Regals fought back in the fourth. Behind steady setting from Kylee Grimm and defense from libero Keegan Corley, Cal Lutheran extended rallies and converted down the stretch to take the frame 25-21 and force a winner-take-all fifth.

The deciding set was a back-and-forth battle early. CMS delivered the final push, using a block and a pair of late kills to pull ahead and close it out 15-9.

Despite the loss, Cal Lutheran showed its balance across the board. The Regals tallied 54 kills and 52 assists while matching CMS on digs 75-74. Cal Lutheran added eight service aces and seven total blocks. CMS finished with a slight edge in efficiency, hitting .220 to Cal Lutheran's .106, and recorded 58 kills with 11 total blocks.

The Regals will look to bounce back at home this Tuesday against Caltech.