LA VERNE, CA — The University of La Verne volleyball team is heading to the SCIAC Championship game. 

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The No. 19 Leopards defeated the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens in four sets to earn a spot in the title match where they will face the top-seeded and No. 9 team in the country Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. La Verne will travel to Roberts Pavillion this Saturday, November 11 for a 6 p.m. showdown with the Athenas.

"It's awesome. This is the game we wanted. We wanted to be playing CMS for a conference championship, for the SCIAC Championship. We know what kind of team they are and we're pumped to do it," said La Verne volleyball head coach Jeff Hendershot.

It will be the Leopards' third appearance overall in the Championship game and first since 2010. The Leopards are playing for their first-ever SCIAC Postseason Tournament Championship. The winner will get the SCIAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Earlier this season, the Leopards snapped CMS' 59-match conference win streak when they defeated the Athenas in four sets.

The Leopards were led by freshman Lauren Gott's all-around performance. She registered a game-high 16 kills in the win and led La Verne with 22 digs while contributing three aces and three blocks. 

Veteran leader Ayana Mier finished with a .467 hitting percentage in the win and totaled nine kills with five blocks. Zacky Coaston was a nuisance for the Sagehens at the net, recording five blocks and six kills. 

The Leopards jumped out to an early 10-5 lead in the first set but the Sagehens quickly closed the game to make it 13-12. Tied 23-23 late in the set, Coaston and Gott teamed up for a block to bring up set-point and Noelani Soma finished it off with a kill. Soma finished the game with nine kills.

After a kill by the Sagehens tied the second set 16-16, the Leopards went on a roll, finishing the set on a 9-2 run. An ace from Mya Ray, kills by Mier, Coaston, and Lexi Giacobbe highlighted the surge, and a kill by Gott capped off the set win.

With all the momentum on their side, La Verne looked ready to claim a sweep. But Pomona-Pitzer didn't back down and jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the third set. The Leopards battled and tied the set 22-22 but couldn't stop the Sagehens from forcing a fourth set. 

The game seemed headed for a fifth and final set when a ball-handling error in the fourth gave Pomona-Pitzer a 24-22 lead. But the momentum swung to La Verne's side after kills from Soma and Ray tied the frame 24-24. Gott kept the hot streak going with an ace to set up match point and a block from Ray and Coaston sent the Leopards to the SCIAC Championship game.

"In that third set we came out a little unfocused and they took it to us in the fourth set, that was not easy. And you know we got our freshman Lauren Gott back there serving. She's just ice in her veins. Loved it," said Hendershot.

Ray did a little of everything for the Leopards, finishing with 10 kills, three aces, and 17 digs. Malia Capistrano led La Verne with 32 assist. Madison Smith finished with 18 digs and seven assists. 

The Leopards played in front of a packed and energetic crowd that added to the momentum swings of the game.

"For sure in the SCIAC but I would challenge anyone to come into our gym and not feel the pressure of the Leo Nation. Our crowd came out big and it just gave us so much energy and we have players like we do who can make some really awesome plays. And to see them [the crowd] going nuts, its the best, the best," added Hendershot.