PASADENA, CA — The No. 15 University of La Verne volleyball team beat Caltech on the and recorded their third-straight sweep Friday night to set up an important season finale.

The win makes Saturday's final regular season game against Whittier College a must-win affair for both squads. The winner will not only secure second place in the conference standings but will also secure home-court advantage for the SCIAC semifinals taking place next Thursday.

The Poets and Leopards face off inside The Tents on Saturday at 6 p.m.

The win also gives the Leopards 20 wins in back-to-back seasons and the 16th 20-plus win season since 2000. La Verne improves to 20-5 overall and 12-3 in the SCIAC.

Zacky Coaston was nearly unstoppable in the match. The sophomore hit .778 with seven kills to go with two blocks.

Kaitlyn Bloomer was a threat offensively and defensively in the win. The junior from Frisco, Texas tallied seven kills, two blocks, and one assist.

Mya Ray led the Leopards with nine kills and 11 digs, and Lauren Gott posted eight kills, one ace, and four digs.

Allison Whiteman added seven kills, two aces, and two blocks. Maraiah Ray totaled five kills and a block.

Madison Smith led all players with 15 digs. Malia Capistrano finished with a game-high 20 assists and nine digs. Kaitlyn Patterson finished with seven digs.