Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – Facing a 2-1 deficit Friday evening, the Whittier College volleyball team came from behind to edge the University of Redlands in a five set thriller 25-13, 24-26, 22-25, 25-16, 15-13.

With the win the Poets move to 3-7, 2-2 SCIAC, while Redlands drops to 1-8, 1-3 SCIAC.

Whittier used a .353 hitting percentage and a 6-0 run thanks to a service ace from Jennifer Estrada (Pasadena, Calif.) and two kills from Casie Lowden (Glendora, Calif.) in the first set to jump out in front 1-0. 

But momentum shifted in the Bulldogs favor as they found themselves with four set points at 24-20 in the second.  But the Purple & Gold fought leveling the set at 24-24 with big kills from Rebecca Slattery (Los Altos, Calif.) and Lowden before UR would regroup winning the next two points to level the match at one.

With that set, Redlands would gain confidence carrying that into the third taking a late lead, which they managed to hold onto en route to winning the frame and putting the Poets in a 2-1 deficit.

But in front of a raucous crowd the Poets fought hitting .321 in the fourth and again using a 6-0 run capped off with a Slattery kill that put WC in front 16-7, which was a deficit to much to overcome by the Bulldogs as Lowden would force the fifth and decisive set with an emphatic kill.

In the final frame, the Poets jumped out in front quickly 4-0 with kills from Lowden and Slattery but Redlands would come back using their own run to pull even at 8-8.  The fans would get on their feet and rally the Poets and it would help as Whittier would rally for the next four points to go in front 12-8.  Redlands would provide a scare however pulling with two at 14-13 but a kill from freshman Alexis Mills (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) would secure the victory for the Poets.

Slattery and Lowden were dead even for the match with 20 kills apiece, while Lowden totaled a career high 23 digs.  Haley Whyte (Mission Viejo, Calif.) had nine kills, while Clarissa Standafer (Whittier, Calif.) led the backrow with 19 digs along with Estrada who totaled 15 digs.

Torrey Mitsunaga (Culver City, Calif.) finished with one of her best single game performances in her career finishing with a game high 47 assists, which allowed the Poets to hit .226 for the match.

For Redlands, Marisa Gile led the offense with a game high 21 kills on 48 attempts hitting .396, while Ashton Martin had 12 kills.  Courtney Johnson in the back row totaled a game high 28 assists, while Lauren Ellingwood had 42 assists.      

Whittier travels today, Saturday, September 27 as they take on Chapman University beginning at 6:00pm.