Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (Oct. 2, 2021) – The Whittier College volleyball team found its form late in the third set against California Lutheran University in Saturday's road SCIAC contest. 

The Poets shined in moments thanks to their young, talented front row. Sophomore middle blocker Xenia Villagomez (Corona, Calif. / Santiago) played her role efficiently, with five kills on just 15 attempts. Additionally, freshman middle Analise Kusleika (Upland, Calif. / Claremont) made the most of her opportunities with four kills on just nine attempts. Villagomez, meanwhile, helped the Poets with some stellar net play, assisting on all five of the Poets' blocks. Junior setter Della Trimble (Saratoga, Calif. / West Valley College) kept busy with 18 of the Poets' 23 assists over the full three sets, and senior outside hitter Katelyn Popoff (Hacienda Heights, Calif. / Sonora) led defensively with 12 digs.

The third set saw the visitors hold their own all the way to the very end, with neither team able to gain a definitive edge as they approached 25 points. Additionally, both teams would have their chances to close things out. Junior Kaitlin Bullock (Rocklin, Calif. / Humboldt State) played some of her best volleyball of the year during this segment, picking up three of her team-leading six kills over the final 10 points of the match. This mini-stretch also saw the Poets turn back two Cal Lutheran match points to force the win-by-two situation. Despite being in a two-set hole, the Poets showed they could come together during such a crucial point of the match and could use the experience as something to build on for future matches.

Head Coach Chris Duarte-McDermott and the Poets will look to get back to their winning ways on Tuesday, Oct. 5 when they host Caltech (6-7, 1-4 SCIAC) at 7 p.m.

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