Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

LA VERNE, Calif. – The Whittier College volleyball team wrapped up the Leo Invitational Saturday as they fell 25-18, 25-15, 25-19 to the Gulls of Endicott College.  The Poets finish the Invitational 1-2 and drop to 6-11, 4-4 SCIAC.

Endicott outhit Whittier .272-.114 and earned 55.0 points to Whittier's 39.0.

The Poets were led at the net by the offensive play of Rebecca Slattery (Los Altos, Calif.) as the sophomore led the team with 10 kills and two blocks.  She was joined by Casie Lowden (Glendora, Calif.) and Alexis Mills (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.).  Lowden, a sophomore picked up eight kills (8-7-41), while Mills chipped in with five (5-3-11).

Running the offense was junior Lauren Pogue (Simi Valley, Calif.) who finished with 26 assists averaging 8.6 assists per set.  The setter also showcased her all-around game, chipping in with an ace, a block assist, and eight digs.  Her eight digs was third on the team behind Jennifer Estrada (Pasadena, Calif.) and Lowden.  Lowden led the match with 16 digs.  Estrada was right behind with 11 to go with four kills (4-0-9) and a .444 hitting percentage.

Whittier returns home to the Graham Athletic Center this Tuesday, October 14 when they host Pomona-Pitzer beginning at 7:30pm.            

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

Hayley Knapp – Endicott (MVP)
Kelsi Robinson - La Verne
Brittany Yaxley - La Verne
Kassandra Buseck – Nazareth
Maria Allacco – Nazareth
Allie Frappier - Pomona-Pitzer
Alex Lambert - Virginia Wesleyan