Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – A second round match-up between the Whittier College Poets and the Claremont-M-S Athena's went in favor of the visitors as the Athena's recorded a 25-19, 25-18, 25-27, 25-23 triumph over the Poets in SCIAC volleyball action Wednesday night at the Graham Athletic Center.

Claremont-M-S (15-8, 7-5 SCIAC) proved why they are ranked fourth in the SCIAC standings as they combined to hit .211 for the contest while earning the edge in assists (52-51), digs (69-67), and aces (6-5).  The Poets held the advantage in kills (55-54) and blocks (14-6). 

A spirited first set saw the match knotted up at 14-14 until CMS rattled off five straight points the last coming from Megan Richman that put the Athena's in front 19-14 a lead they would not relinquish.

In the second frame, Whittier (8-14, 3-8 SCIAC) took an early 6-4 advantage and maintained a minimal lead up until the 15-12 mark when they went on a 4-0 run that tied the game up and then put CMS in front for the first time in the set at 16-15.  Whittier however broke the run with a kill by Alayna Rigo but on CMS's next possession they sparked a 5-0 run that extended their lead to 21-16.  Despite kills from Rigo and Alyssa Sialaris down the stretch it wasn't enough as CMS held a 4-2 advantage in points helping propel them to the second set victory. 

The third set proved to be a seesaw battle as the Poets opened up taking a 7-3 lead early and despite a rally by CMS where they went on a 6-1 run to pull even at 11-11, the Poets were able to add their own 3-0 run to go up 16-14 but again another CMS rally pulled the game even at 17-17.  After the Athena's grabbed a two point advantage to take their first lead of the set Whittier added another 3-0 run that put them in front once again by one at 20-19. 

Immediately following that rally CMS added back to back points to tie the game up and take their second lead until Whittier got to a game point thanks to a kill by Sialaris but it was for not as CMS rallied to tie the game up at 24-24 before the Purple & Gold's sophomore middle blocker Katie Heard added back to back blocks that pushed the match a fourth set.

In the fourth set, Whittier jumped out in front once again early 3-2, but CMS again put together a 4-0 run that put them in front 6-3.  After the game got knotted up at 10-10, the Athena's used a 6-1 run the lead for good at 16-11.  Whittier rallied though and pulled within one at 16-15 behind four unanswered and then got within one once again at 23-22 and then 24-23 but were unable to fight off two match points as CMS prevailed 25-23 to grab the match. 

Sialaris finished with a game high 24 kills on 65 attempts, while Regina Mullen from CMS finished with a team high 18 kills on 48 attempts for a .312 hitting percentage.  Rigo broke out of her funk from the past few games to finish a double double with 15 kills on 46 attempts and 12 digs. 

Defensively, Whittier had four girls reach double figures in digs including Maria Montero who finished with her first double double of the season with a team high 44 assists and 10 digs, Rigo (12), Lindsey Kish (16), and Alyssa Acosta (10).

Up front Heard finished with a game high seven blocks combined with eight kills on 16 attempts for a .375 hitting percentage her best game all season. 

The Poets continue with their two game home stand with a match-up against the Regals of Cal Lutheran University this Friday, October 19 with game time set for 7:30pm.