THOUSAND OAKS, CA – The University of La Verne volleyball team advances to the SCIAC final by defeating the Cal Lutheran Regals in four sets. Middle blockers
Zacky Coaston and
Abigail Montana notched seven blocks apiece, leading the team to double Cal Lutheran's total blocks. The ever-present
Lauren Gott scored 18.5 points for the team, earning 17 kills, three block assists, and 16 digs.
The Regals took a small lead in set one, but an effective service run from Gott gave the Leopards an advantage. That serving run was the first and last big momentum swing of the set. Neither team was ahead by more than three for the remainder of the set. A decisive kill from Montana lurched La Verne forward again. Her connection with setter
Jordyn McCoy, who earned 22 assists on the night, proved to be exactly what ULV needed. The Leopards took set one, 25-23.
Cal Lutheran struck back in set two. The Leopards errored them into success, and their outside Kennedy Smith took advantage. The Regals snagged set two, 25-18.
La Verne unleashed a weapon in the third: the Queen of Consistency herself,
Lauren Gott. The senior captain had four back-to-back kills, single-handedly pulling the Leopards into the lead. The Regals started to wobble, stacking attack errors against the monstrous block. Montana and right side
Mariah Ray denied entry to the Regals and the Leopards won set three, 25-19.
One set stood between ULV and the SCIAC championship. Gott continued to dominate in set four, alongside fellow All-SCIAC recipient Coaston. Coaston finished the night with six kills and a .250 hitting percentage. Freshman outside Alison Mason put in work, earning nine kills and eleven digs. Libero
Morgan Watkins led the team in digs with 21. A dramatic service ace finish from McCoy secured La Verne's spot in the championship. The final score read 25-17.
The Leopards will face the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Athenas in the SCIAC Championship on the road on November 14th at 7 p.m.
