OSHKOSH, WI — The Leopards are moving on to the NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Tournament Second Round. 

The No. 20 University of La Verne volleyball team beat the Otterbein University Cardinals 3-1 and now awaits the winner of No. 13 North Park and East Texas Baptist. The Leopards will play tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. (PST).

It is the Leopards' first NCAA Tournament win and first time advancing to the second round since 2012.

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"It feels great to get that first win and get the jitters out. We have a great opponent in front of us with ETBU or North Park. We are up for the challenge and look forward to being able to play in a regional quarter-final," said University of La Verne volleyball head coach Jeff Hendershot.

La Verne's trio of All-Region selections led the Leopards in the win. Mya Ray led all players with 21 kills and added nine digs and a block. Lauren Gott finished with 13 kills, 14 digs, and a pair of aces. Malia Capistrano posted a game-high 39 assists with 14 digs and a kill.

"It was exciting to get on the court and start playing and get the feel of what we will be seeing the next couple of days. Winning that first game gives us the confidence and momentum we need going into tomorrow's game. We are ready to get after it and continue our season," said Gott.

After battling back and forth for most of the opening set, the Leopards jumped out to a 23-19 lead off an ace from Gott, and a kill by Ray brought up set point. The Cardinals responded and tied the frame 24-24. A kill from Ray off a pass from Capistrano gave La Verne back the advantage, and a Cardinal error delivered the Leopards the set win.

La Verne led most of the second set and took a 13-7 advantage after back-to-back blocks from Zacky Coaston and Noelani Soma. A few points later, a kill from Soma put the Leopards up 18-12. Soma and Coaston led the defensive effort at the net for the Leopards. Soma finished with a game-high five blocks with nine kills and seven digs, and Coaston totaled three blocks and four kills.

But again, Otterbein battled back and cut La Verne's lead to 21-20 after a La Verne attack error. The Leopards rebounded and closed the set on a 4-2 run highlighted by kills from Gott and Soma to take the 2-0 advantage. 

Otterbein halted La Verne's momentum in the third set, hit .267 as a team, and rode a 10-1 run to win the set 25-13 and force a fourth frame.

The Leopards regained their rhythm in the fourth and started hot. They opened up with a 5-0 lead capped by back-to-back kills from Coaston and Madison Smith. Otterbein quickly wiped away La Verne's lead with a 10-5 run to even the score 10-10.

The squads continued to trade points until an ace from Ray and a kill from Gott brought up match point with the Leopards leading 24-20. A pair of Cardinals' points made things interesting, but Capistrano connected with Ray, and her final kill sent La Verne to the second round.

"This match helped us release those pre-tournament jitters and allowed us to play a new level of competition. Our win today definitely gives us the momentum we need to keep pursuing our goal of succeeding against other teams. I look forward to coming out strong and being prepared to fight hard tomorrow," said Ray.

Smith led La Verne with 22 digs in the win and contributed four assists, one ace, and one kill. Nalani Young finished with 11 digs, and Ayana Mier added two blocks and three kills.

Morgan Hartman's 17 kills and three aces, Olivia Vitaz's 23 assists, and Amanda Troyer's 25 digs led the Cardinals.

The Leopards improved to 24-4 overall. Otterbein ends its season 23-9.