LA VERNE, CA – The University of La Verne volleyball team finished the Pacific Coast Classic with a 2-1 record, a legendary first win for
Dr. Randi Taylor-Toomay, and a trouncing of the Pirates from Texas.
After notching Dr. Taylor-Toomay's first career win as head coach with a 3-0 dominance over Lasell University on Friday, the Leopards entered the gym with confidence on Saturday. Both the Leopards, and their opponent, the Southwestern University Pirates, had successful seasons last year, so the anticipation ran high.
The Leopardd started out strong in the first set, with a kill from junior
Mariah Ray, assisted by
Malia Capistrano. Capistrano, a former All-American for the Leopards, finished the match with 17 assists, seven digs, and an ace. The Leopards fell behind 10-5, but senior middle blocker
Zacky Coaston pulled the Leopard out of rut with a kill. Coaston was a force for the Leopards. She nabbed 6 kills against the Pirates and contributed a whopping 12 points to the overall victory. Soon, it was all tied up at 20-20 and big swings from Ray and senior outside hitter
Lauren Gott, secured the first set win for the Leos, 25-22.
Gott kept the ball rolling in the second with a decisive kill to open the set. She continued to dominate throughout the match, scoring the most points for the Leos, with 13.5. Her reliability in the front and back row made her a go-to for La Verne. She finished with 10 kills, theee blocks, and nine digs. The Leopards ran away with the set after a kill from
Alanna Jones, who had the third most kills in the game, with seven. The senior rightside from Redondo Beach found her groove against the Pirates and assisted with four blocks, dug two, and put up nine points for La Verne. The Leopards took the second set 25-22.
The third set was a back and forth battle, until Jones and setter
America Reynaga subbed in at 4-6. Reynaga, a sophomore setter, had 11 assists and 13 digs in the match. Assists from Reynaga and sophomore libero
Morgan Watkins, put Jones in scoring position. At 18-10 the Leopards had secured the momentum and did not let up, winning the frame 25-21. Gott led the Leopards' offense, and Coaston dominated on defense, with 11 total blocks. Coaston holds La Verne's all time record for most blocks at La Verne with 439 and counting, and continues to keep all competition out of reach as she adds to the total.
Game two against the Westminster College Blue Jays started off strong, with Gott leading the charge. She scored 16 points for the Leopards off 13 kills, 17 digs, and 2 service aces. The Jays were on the Leopards' tails until back-to-back kills from Jones and Ray halted the Jays' success. Defensively,
Abigail Montana, a senior middle blocker, put in work with seven block assists. The Leopards took set one, but could not close out and finished game two with a 3-1 loss.
Catch the Leopards back in action on September 11 at 3 p.m. in the The Tents in the La Verne-Whittier Invitational when they take on the UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs.
