LA VERNE, CA– The No. 1 University of La Verne volleyball team hosted the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Athenas at home on Saturday and made quick time with a speedy 3-0 victory in The Tents. This is the second time that the Athenas and Leos have met this season, and the Leopards stayed perfect against their SCIAC rivals, sweeping them in back-to-back matchups.

Mya Ray led all players with 20 kills on.354 hitting with 13 digs, two blocks, and an ace. Alana Jones and Abigail did damage at the net, finishing with five blocks and four kills apiece. Lauren Gott totaled 14 digs and eight kills. 

In set one, the points were evenly distributed, partially because both teams involved in their middles. Zacky Coaston and Montana were active parts of La Verne's offense and defense. At 11-13, the Leos started to pull ahead and went on a six point run to make the score 11-19. A combination of kills from Ray and Jones, as well as multiple attack errors from the Athenas offense put the Leos in a successful position. The Athenas battled back, but the final score was in La Verne's favor, 25-20. 

The Leopards used their momentum as they swung dramatically into set two. They pulled ahead 6-1, thanks to consistent serving from Keilani Mumolo, and kills from the Ray sisters. Mariah Ray in particular was the star of set two; her kill percentage skyrocketed, and La Verne stayed ahead the whole game. The final score mirrored set one, 25-20. Mumolo led the Leos with 16 digs and added five aces.

Set three was a more dramatic scene. It was in this set that CMS pulled ahead for the first time. Service errors from the Leos pushed the Athenas ahead until the score was 20-16, in favor of the Athenas. The Leos were determined to win in three and pulled it off with a nine point run. Kills from Mya Ray and Montana gave the Leos the lead again and they finished strong with a final score of 25-20 yet again. 

Vanessa Marquez ended 22 assists and 11 digs. Malia Capistrano finished with 16 assists. Coaston added three kills and three kills.

The Leopards (20-0, 11-0 SCIAC) stay undefeated as they head into the final five games of SCIAC play. Watch them next on the road against Cal Lutheran on October 28th at 7 p.m.