Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College volleyball team continues to impress in 2012 winning their second straight game and their Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener sweeping the Bulldogs of the University of Redlands 25-10, 25-18, 25-17.

Whittier now improves to 6-3, 1-0 SCIAC, while Redlands drops to 3-3, 0-1 SCIAC.

On a night full of fans and athletes wearing crazy spandex, and a crowd base of almost 400 the Purple & Gold left very little doubt in the viewers eyes that they are poised for another SCIAC Post Season Tournament appearance for the second straight year. 

Whittier jumped out early in game one to a 6-1 lead and maintained a significant advantage behind a strong outside presence from junior Alayna Rigo who recorded her third double double of the season finishing with 16 kills on 29 attempts for a .517 hitting percentage to go with 11 digs.

Coming out in the second game senior Alyssa Sialaris took over and began to show her power carrying the load late to help the Poets pull off the seven point win as she finished the night with 15 kills on 31 attempts for a .290 hitting percentage to go with six digs.

Freshman, Torrey Mitsunaga got the nod at the setter position playing in all three games barely missing her first double double of the season recording a game high 38 assists to go with eight digs.  Lindsey Kish sparked the Poets in the first game in the back row making two remarkable saves that allowed the Poets to stay in two big points early. With her strong defense in the back row including her game high 15 digs, Whittier was able to hold Redlands to a mere 15 kills and a .014 hitting percentage.

Not only was the Poet back row presence and defense strong their blocking up front was spectacular as well making it very difficult for Redlands to find any openings as they totaled 14 blocks (4 solo, 10 assists).    

Whittier continues with conference play as they travel to Pomona-Pitzer on Tuesday, September 18 with game time slated for 7:30pm.