Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Whittier College volleyball team saw their Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference winning streak come to a close this week as they fell 25-12, 25-20, 25-23 to No. 20 Claremont-M-S.

The Poets who were coming in with 3-1 and 3-0 victories over Redlands and La Verne were stunned by the Athena's of Claremont-M-S who remain undefeated on the season. 

After a blowout first set, the Poets found their rhythm offensively and pushed the Athena's in the second and third sets but it was too late to force the match to a fourth.  In the second set, the Poets battled and stayed within four points but never led as the Athena's managed to pull off the second set victory 25-20.  Despite a late push in the third and evening the set at 21-21 the Poets couldn't withstand the final push by the Athena's. 

Lauren Whiteman (Mission Viejo, Calif.) led the Poets with nine kills on 23 attempts for a .261 hitting percentage.  Alyssa Acosta (Whittier, Calif.) was not hit to in the back row as she finished with just eight digs.  Alayna Rigo (Chino Hills, Calif.) had 12 digs, while Torrey Mitsunaga (Culver City, Calif.) had 29 assists.

Whittier returns to action tomorrow Friday, September 20 when they host No. 5 Cal Lutheran University beginning at 7:30pm.