WHITTIER, CA – The No. 1 University of La Verne women's volleyball team opened SCIAC play with a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Whittier College Poets Friday night. 

The Leopards entered SCIAC play with a 9-0 record and had just been voted number one in the country in the AVCA/Taraflex Poll, the first time since 2002.

Mya Ray led the Leopard with a season-high 30 kills. The three-time All-American has been a powerhouse for the Leopards and came up big against the Poets when needed.

Lauren Gott added 14 kills, and Zacky Coaston contributed 11 kills and led the Leopards with six blocks. 

Defensively, graduate student transfer Keilani Mumuolo stood out for the Leopards, finishing with 22 digs. The new face has been a dominant presence on the court to start the year.

In set one, the Leopards out-hit the Poets, and their positive hitting percentage showed in their 25-20 victory. In set two, they began to falter, and the Poets took advantage, coming back from a 23-19 deficit to win the set 25-23. 

The Leos responded and battled back from down 24-21 to take a 25-24 lead with help from a Mya Ray kill and two Poet attack errors. Back-to-back kills from Ray and Gallegos gave the Leos the third.

Whittier rallied late in the fourth, scoring five of the final six points to win 25-22 and forced the deciding set. Now tied at 2-2 sets, the pressure was on, and the Leopards did not disappoint. After a gritty fifth set, they secured the win, 15-11, scoring the final three points and capped by an ace from Ray.

Vanessa Marquez led the Leos in assists with 31, followed closely by Malia Capistrano with 27. Vallerie Gallegos tallied five blocks, and Maraiah Ray finished with four.

The Leopards play their SCIAC home opener on Saturday at 6 p.m. against Pomona-Pitzer.