THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Cal Lutheran women's volleyball (8-2, 1-1 SCIAC) was tested at home on Tuesday night by a feisty Caltech squad, but the Regals prevailed in four sets–21-25, 25-13, 25-18, 27-25. Alex Hayes and Kennedy Smith co-led Cal Lutheran in kills with 12 apiece.

The match opened with a back-and-forth rhythm, as Caltech (3-11, 0-3 SCIAC) led 11-10 after the fourth early lead change. Down 20-14, the Regals went on a six-point run to tie the game with kills by Smith and Kaylee Clayton, a block from Madeline Magnani and Tarin Rueckert, and a service ace from Smith. The Beavers quickly recovered, however, to take the set 25-21.

Cal Lutheran jumped out to an early 9-5 lead thanks to six consecutive points, including a pair of kills from Clayton, another service ace from Smith, and four assists from Makenna Kawamura. The Regals kept a comfortable lead throughout the set and finished on a four-point run culminated by a Kylee Grimm kill to equalize the match with a 25-13 set win.

The Beavers took an early 3-0 lead in set three, but they would not lead again after Cal Lutheran took the next four points, highlighted by a service ace from Clayton and kills from Emily Ford and Smith. The Regals rode yet another run of six-straight points to go up 16-10 thanks to a pair of kills from Ford and one from Smith. Clayton dropped in another service ace as well. A kill from Magnani took the set for Cal Lutheran, 25-18, giving the Regals a chance to close it out in four.

Despite Cal Lutheran's momentum, Caltech jumped out to another early lead in set four as it won the first five points, and at one point it led 9-2. The Regals clawed back and tied it at 15-15 after Hayes' fourth kill of the set. Cal Lutheran took its first lead of the set after a Beavers' attack error made the score 20-19. Caltech responded with four points in-a-row to threaten a fifth set. The Regals kept their composure, however, and won 27-25 on back-to-back blocks from Ford and Hayes.

Cal Lutheran dominated in the box score, with 55 kills to Caltech's 35. Hayes and Smith led the way with 12 each (Hayes on just 20 attacks), and Clayton added eight. Smith recorded four service aces. Kawamura and Grimm collected 21 and 20 assists, respectively.

Clayton led the Regals with 16 digs while Keegan Corley and Kawamura added 14 and nine, respectively. Hayes recorded a team-high four blocks, as Ford and Magnani each totaled three.

Cal Lutheran will move forward to take on La Verne on the road on Friday evening at 7pm. The Leopards are ranked #1 in the nation and are currently 12-0.