CLAREMONT, CA – The University of La Verne volleyball team pounced on the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens in a 3-0 victory on Tuesday night. Seniors
Lauren Gott,
Zacky Coaston, and
Alanna Jones led the team in kills, with a combined 30. Junior defensive specialist
Olivia Campisi led the team in aces with three.
With the win, the Leopards secure a spot in the SCIAC Tournament and move into fourth place, ahead of Chapman. With a win on Saturday or a Chapman loss, the Leopards will claim home-court advantage in the first round of the SCIAC Tournament next week.
The first half of set one was close, due in part to kills from freshman outside
Allison Mason and attack errors from the Sagehens. Mason finished the night with a .273 hitting percentage. The Leopards took off shortly thereafter with Gott taking the lead and swinging big. La Verne took set one, 25-18.
Set two proved to be an even easier road to victory for the Leopards. At 10-6, La Verne put their paws to the pedal, scoring another four before the Hens scored one. Hits from Gott, who finished with 13 kills, eight digs and a block assist, pulled the Leopards ahead. Following closely behind her was
Zacky Coaston, who also took charge in set two. She earned eight kills, four block assists, and a dig against the Sagehens. The Leopards maintained their lead and grabbed set two, 25-14.
Set three was a testament to ULV's determination and grit. The Leopards knew this game had to be won decisively for a chance at postseason. Jones took this assignment seriously; she lit up in the third. The right side earned nine kills, three block assists, and four digs on the night. Setter
Malia Capistrano led the team in assists with 17, closely followed by
Jordyn McCoy with 13. Libero
Morgan Watkins led the team in digs with ten, and Campisi finished the night with three aces.
The Leopards celebrate senior night at home on November 7 at 5 p.m.
