Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Whittier College women's volleyball team has won three straight matches and has continued to improve upon their best season yet as they knocked off the Sagehens of Pomona-Pitzer 22-25, 25-16, 25-23, 25-21 Friday evening.

The Poets (10-16, 5-4 SCIAC) coming off of a strong win against the University of Redlands came in fired up to get revenge on the Sagehens after their previous five set loss to them earlier in the season.  Coming into the match Whittier was tied for fourth place in the SCIAC standings and after this big upset look to move up in the rankings at the conclusion of the weekend. 

This season, the Poets have had many ups and downs including going 2-7 in five set matches, which could have easily been turned the opposite way, but the highlights include getting a key win over the University of La Verne 3-0, which is their first win over La Verne since 1998.  But Whittier didn't stop there.  They also swept the University of Redlands for the first time in six years and upset Pomona-Pitzer for the first time in Coach Ali Oliver's tenure. 

Alayna Rigo led the Poet attack as she collected a double-double with a team high 15 kills and 15 digs.  But she came up big in the second game when she hit back to back aces to end the second set capping a 6-0 run by the Poets. 

But she also continued to be successful within the fourth set as she came up with two late kills that helped give Whittier a big margin and a comfortable lead that led to them taking the match. 

But not to be overlooked was the play of Alessandra Rios who collected yet again another triple-double totaling 11 kills, 32 assists, and 12 digs to help push Whittier past the finish line. 

Alyssa Sialaris had yet another double digit kill's night as she had 12 kills on 45 attempts, while Alyssa Acosta was a foundation in the back row as she totaled 11 digs.             

Coach Oliver explained after the match "Justine Martinez came off the bench and showed great leadership qualities and composure, she offered a spark for the rest of the team and played like a veteran and remained calm when the pressure situations arose.  She helped the players relax and remain focus in the latter part of the match and in the end we came away with the victory." 

The Purple and Gold look to bounce back and continue the momentum as they travel to take on the Tigers of Occidental College tomorrow, Saturday, October 22 beginning at 6pm.