Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Whittier College volleyball team saw their 2014 season come to a close Saturday evening as they dropped in straight sets to Cal Lutheran University 25-15, 25-13, 25-21. 

With the win the Regals have now won their fifth consecutive Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Title as they sent off four seniors in impressive fashion.

Whittier finishes the season 8-17 but improved on last years SCIAC record by finishing 6-10 this season.    

The SCIAC Post Season Tournament is now set with Cal Lutheran grabbing the top spot followed by No. 2 Claremont-M-S, No. 3 La Verne, and No. 4 Pomona-Pitzer.

Despite hitting .231 as a team in the first set the Poets were unable to match the Regals .308 as they cruised to the first set victory behind a strong defensive effort from Nicki Teherow who kept CLU afloat with some strong saves. 

In the second, Whittier put up a strong fight early with a big block and a few kills to go in front 5-3 but two aces from Tetherow and consecutive kills from Pua Mo'okini-Oliveira, Michelle Lawrence, Dianna Rohrer, and Eason put the Regals in front 10-6 before extending that to 20-10 en route to taking the second set.

In the third and final frame Whittier took the upper hand midway through 15-13.  But CLU began chipping away tying the game up at 15-15 before turning the deficit into an advantage 18-15.  After a quick timeout, Whittier fought back to tie things up at 18-18 but to no avail as Cal Lutheran would go back out in front to win 25-21 to clinch yet another SCIAC Championship Title. 

Whittier was led by Rebecca Slattery (Los Altos, Calif.) who finished with eight kills and was joined by freshman Vanessa Rodriguez (who had six kills on 15 attempts hitting .333.

Torrey Mitsunaga (Culver City, Calif.) had a season low 13 assists, while Jennifer Estrada (Pasadena, Calif.) picked up 10 digs and six kills.