LA VERNE, CA - The No. 7 University of La Verne volleyball team opened the 2025 season with a pair of wins on Friday, outlasting St. Olaf in a five-set thriller before sweeping Buffalo State in straight sets on day one of the Pacific Coast Classic. The Leopards sit at 2-0 heading into their Saturday finale. 

Game One: La Verne 3, St. Olaf 2 (25-19, 13-25, 25-19, 22-25, 15-10)

The Leopards were pushed to the limit in their season opener, but they responded with grit and timely execution to edge St. Olaf.

After splitting the first two sets, La Verne regained control in the third behind strong swings from Mya Ray and Lauren Gott, who combined for 27 kills in the match. St. Olaf forced a deciding set with a narrow fourth-set win, but the Leopards sealed the match with an efficient .474 hitting percentage in the fifth.

Zacky Coaston was a force in the middle, posting seven kills on .545 hitting to go with eight blocks. Ray added 15 digs to her offensive output, while setter Malia Capistrano directed the attack with 18 assists and five digs.

Game Two: La Verne 3, Buffalo State 0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-16)

The Leopards wasted no time in their evening matchup, rolling to a sweep of Buffalo State in their home opener at the Sports Science & Athletic Pavilion. La Verne hit .380 as a team, including an impressive .586 in the second set.

Gott was dominant with 14 kills on a .440 clip, and Coaston added eight kills on .571 hitting along with three blocks. Ray chipped in nine kills and 12 digs, while junior Alanna Jones made an immediate impact with nine kills in her La Verne debut.

Capistrano and senior setter Vanessa Marquez combined for 35 assists, keeping the offense balanced across the front line.

Up Next

The Leopards return to the court today Saturday, August 30, at 1 p.m. against Case Western Reserve University in the Tents to close out the Pacific Coast Classic.