by Cyanna Rosa

LA VERNE, Calif - The University of La Verne women's volleyball team hosted their second home SCIAC event in the Tents this evening. Facing off against the Caltech Beavers, the Leopards maintained their undefeated status, extending their winning streak to 12-0.

In the initial set, the Leopards swiftly asserted their authority on the scoreboard. Despite grappling with a few serving errors that handed four free points to the Beavers, the Leopards exhibited offensive power that recorded 16 kills. Their solid defense allowed the Beavers only five offensive points, for a 25-9 Leopards win.

The second set saw the Beavers adopting a different strategy, presenting a decent challenge to the Leopards as the lead oscillated between the teams. With nearly equal attack attempts (Beavers: 45, Leopards: 44), the Beavers converted only 26% of their attempts, while the Leopards found success in 41% of their attacks. Sophomore sensation Mya Ray captivated the audience with her vertical prowess, delivering powerful attacks into Beaver territory. Despite a closely contested set, the Leopards emerged victorious again, securing a 25-21 win.

The third set commenced with the Leopard offense maintaining their momentum, leaving the Beaver defense struggling to keep pace. Sophomore standout Lexi Giacobbe entered the game during the third set, showcasing exceptional defensive abilities. Despite employing all available timeouts, the Beavers found themselves trailing 17-6. The relentless attacks from the Leopards left little room for the Beavers to formulate effective counter strategies. The third and final set concluded decisively in favor of the Leopards, with a commanding score of 25-10.

In sealing the match win, several key players played pivotal roles in the victory. Ray led the charge hitting .500 with 14 kills, followed by Lauren Gott, this week's SCIAC Athlete of the Week, with 10 kills. Defensively, the Leopards remained steadfast, with Ayana Mier contributing five blocks and Gott tallying three.

The Leopards are now set to face Chapman University Friday, September 29th with the first serve scheduled for 7:00 PM.