OSHKOSH, WI - The No. 5 University of La Verne volleyball team extended its unbeaten start with two more victories on Saturday at the UW–Oshkosh Invitational. The Leopards earned a four-set win over No. 8 Hope College in the morning before defeating receiving-votes University of Chicago in four sets to close the weekend 9-0.

Game One: La Verne 3, Hope 1 (25-20, 25-12, 23-25, 27-25)

In another nationally ranked showdown, La Verne rose to the occasion against No. 8 Hope. 

Mya Ray led the way with a match-high 24 kills on .339 hitting, adding 15 digs and two aces. Lauren Gott contributed 11 kills and eight digs, while Zacky Coaston added eight kills and a block.

Setters Vanessa Marquez (22 assists, 12 digs, three aces) and Malia Capistrano (15 assists, 14 digs) kept the offense balanced, while libero Keilani Mumolo added nine digs. Valerie Gallegos stuffed the net with five blocks and chipped in two aces, while Mariah Ray delivered seven kills on .375 hitting and added 3 blocks.

After taking the first two sets comfortably, the Leopards fell just short in the third before rallying back in a dramatic fourth-set finish, closing the match 27-25.

Game Two: La Verne 3, University of Chicago 1 (25-15, 25-18, 23-25, 25-18)

The Leopards capped the invitational with another strong showing, taking down (RV) University of Chicago to remain unbeaten.

Mya Ray once again powered the offense with 12 kills, two blocks, and 16 total points. Gott followed with 11 kills on .308 hitting and 13 digs, while Gallegos was highly efficient with nine kills on .533 hitting and a team-high four service aces. 

The Leopards' front line was active at the net, with Alanna Jones recording five blocks and Coaston adding seven. Marquez (15 assists, three aces) and Capistrano (nine assists, two aces) fueled the attack, while Mumolo anchored the defense with seven digs.

La Verne controlled the first two sets before University of Chicago edged the third 25-23, but the Leopards closed out the match with a decisive 25-18 win in the fourth.

Weekend Wrap-Up

With three wins in Oshkosh, including a five-set comeback over No. 3 UW–Oshkosh on Friday night, the Leopards (9-0) completed a perfect weekend against nationally ranked and regionally respected opponents.

Up Next

The Leopards (9-0) now shift their focus to conference play. La Verne opens the SCIAC schedule on Friday, September 26, traveling to Whittier College for a 7 p.m. matchup.