Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. (Oct. 1, 2021) – Sophomore middle blocker Xenia Villagomez (Corona, Calif. / Santiago) of the Whittier College volleyball team broke out with one of her strongest games of the season against the University of La Verne on Saturday night.

Villagomez proved to be the most efficient attacker on the court, hitting .350 for a new season-best rate when she has had at least 20 attempts. She also had half of her kills in the third set and all but one came within the final two frames. The sophomore displayed her usual prowess at the net as well, notching two solo blocks before combining on a third with senior Franki Piloto (Ontario, Calif. / Pomona Catholic).

Other positives for the Poets came on the defensive end. Senior libero Madisen Diaz (Hacienda Heights, Calif. / Bishop Amat) had 22 digs, a new season-best total in three-set matches, and classmate Katelyn Popoff (Hacienda Heights, Calif. / Sonora) also got into double-figures with 15 digs. The Poets' strong defensive effort particularly came into play over the final two sets, where they put together runs of five and four points apiece. Other Whittier contributors included junior setter Della Trimble (Saratoga, Calif. / West Valley College), who had 13 assists and freshman Morgan Lin (Glendora, Calif. / Glendora), who served out the Poets' five-point run in the second set and had a pair of service aces.

Head Coach Chris Duarte-McDermott and the Poets will return on Saturday, Oct. 2 when they travel to California Lutheran University for a 6 p.m. game. The Poets will be back on their home floor when they host Caltech on Tuesday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m.

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