Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Whittier College Volleyball team saw their five game winning streak snapped Friday night against Cal Lutheran University as they fell 25-15, 25-8, 17-25, 25-21.

The Poets who are seeking a berth into the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Post Season Tournament drop now to 16-7, 8-4 SCIAC.

It was a rough start for the Purple & Gold who saw themselves in a 2-0 hole early, who combined for 23 points over the first two sets.

The bright spot came in the third where the Poets battled to keep themselves in the match.  They hit .353 and used a late 6-1 run to go in front 18-10, a lead they wouldn't relinquish as the final seven points would come on kills from Makenzie Thieme (Corona, Calif.), Valerie van der Linden (Rocklin, Calif.), Jazmyn Sudbrook-Johnson (Fremont, Calif.), Ashley Whittall (Norwalk, Calif.), and Hannah Joyce (Newport Beach, Calif.). 

In the fourth, CLU managed to get out in front 6-1, which proved crucial as WC was able to claw their back to pull within one late at 21-20.  But that's as close as they would get as an ensuing 3-0 spurt by the Regals would give them a match-point, which they would get to clinch the home victory.

Thieme led the Poets with 14 kills, while Whittall chipped in with 11, while totaling 11 digs.  Camryn Purdom (Moreno Valley, Calif.) finished with 23 assists and 18 digs, while Clarissa Standafer (Alta Loma, Calif.) added 19 digs, four assists, and two service aces.    

Whittier looks to get back on track tonight, Saturday, October 21 at 7:00pm as they host the University of Redlands.