Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College volleyball team snapped their three game losing streak Saturday afternoon against the Sagehens of Pomona-Pitzer cruising to the four set victory 29-31, 25-22, 25-10, 25-21.

With the win Whittier improves to 8-10, 3-6 SCIAC, while Pomona-Pitzer drops to 8-10, 3-7 SCIAC. 

The last time these two teams met Whittier was on the wrong side of a five set loss, but bounced back starting the second round of SCIAC matches with a victory poised for a late season push to make the SCIAC Post Season Tournament.

Alyssa Sialaris and Alyssa Acosta led the Poets both offensively and defensively as they earned National recognition for achieving 30 kills and 31 digs, each respectively.  Sialaris for the third straight game finished with 25 or more kills completing the four set victory with 30 kills on 62 attempts for a .371 hitting percentage.  She also recorded 14 digs.

Coming into the match Sialaris was ranked nationally in kills per set at No. 3 and after this performance she looks to move into the No. 2 slot, while maintaining her lead in SCIAC in kills at 311.

Acosta who also was recognized nationally finished the game with an amazing defensive effort tallying 31 digs bringing her total for the season to 146 to go with two service aces.  Late in the fourth set with the Poets leading she made a tremendous dive to keep the ball in play and by doing that she poked the ball back over the net into the back right corner of the court for her lone kill of the match, a point that got the fans in attendance to their feet.

Three Poets reached double figures in assists with freshman Torrey Mitsunaga leading the way with 23, while Maria Montero finished with 19 and Victoria Larios with 10.

Alayna Rigo was the only other Poet to reach double digit kills along with Sialaris but also collected a double double with 16 kills on 45 attempts and 17 digs.

Whittier had a chance to get in front early having two opportunities in the first set but they failed to convert allowing Pomona-Pitzer to stay in the match and ultimately take the first set 31-29 the highest scoring this year for Whittier.

But Whittier bounced back and jumped out in front in the second set and maintained a small lead throughout and was able to convert on big points in the end helping them even the match at one set a piece.  The Purple & Gold continued with their offensive presence and didn't let up in the third as they ran away to a 25-10 dismantling of the Sagehens that carried over into the fourth and final set where Whittier jumped out to a big lead, which they maintained until the final point despite a late rally put on by the Sagehens but it wasn't enough as Whittier held on for the 25-21 victory. 

The Poets continue with SCIAC play as they travel to Occidental College on Tuesday, October 9 to take on the Tigers with game time set to begin at 7:30pm.