ORANGE, CA – The University of La Verne women's volleyball team fell to the Chapman University Panthers in a thrilling 3-2 set match on Tuesday evening. Freshman setter
Jordyn McCoy earned 26 assists, seven digs, and an ace.
The first set was neck and neck throughout. Senior middle blocker and La Verne all-time blocks leader
Zacky Coaston swung big and blocked bigger. She showed off her skills on Tuesday, earning five block assists and one solo block. The set finished in Chapman's favor, 25-19.
The drama of set one paled in comparison to that of set two. By the end, 54 points had been played.
Alanna Jones lit up early, swinging lethally. Jones collected 14 kills on the night and five total blocks. The Leopards pulled ahead, but the Panthers closed the gap. All tied up at 25-25, Jones' arm did not falter, but the Leopards fell 28-26.
La Verne showed fight in the third,
Jordyn McCoy leading the way. McCoy has played most games early in her career, setting in all but two this season. Her skill has helped her maintain her spot on the court, and her early leadership is apparent. She ended the night with 26 assists and 17 digs. La Verne applied pressure, causing the Panthers to falter. La Verne takes set three, 25-19.
Set four was almost the finale in Orange, but La Verne persevered. A serving run from libero
Morgan Watkins, who led the team in digs with 17, propelled the Leopards ahead. Senior
Lauren Gott made moves on the outside, snapping up 18 kills before the night ended. These two led the Leopards to a 25-19 set four victory.
Despite a valiant effort in the fifth, the Leopards fell 15-13. Gott did work, taking confident swings, as did her outside counterpart Alison Mason, who snagged a handful of kills and eleven digs.
The Leopards are back in action on the road facing the CMS Athenas, October 31 at 2 p.m.
