PASADENA, Calif. (Oct. 29, 2022)- The Poets would travel to take on the CalTech Beavers in their final game of the season. After a tough loss last night Whittier was looking to end their year on a win. 

The first set began and the Beavers were able to establish an early lead. The Poets tried to come back, but CalTech would not let their foot off the gas and took the set 25-17. 

Once again the Beavers began the second set strong and jumped out to an 11-4 lead. The Poets, though, were able to fight back and make the score 9-13 CalTech. However, Whittier's efforts came up short and they were defeated 25-14.

Down 2 sets to 0 the Poets needed to win this third to continue the match. Whittier got out to a great start early and had an 11-7 lead, but the Beavers were persistent and fought back to tie it at 14. The Beavers would continue this comeback and take an 18-14 lead. CalTech would take a 23-20 lead; the Poets would not give in though and took the third set 26-24. 

As the fourth began, Whittier jumped out to an early advantage of 8-3. The Poets had full control of this set and did not let their foot off the gas. They established themselves in charge of this set when they took a 15-7 lead. The girls would eventually take this set 25-18. 

Once again the Poets were headed to a fifth set. Their momentum ran out though as the fifth started and Whitter fell into a 1-7 deficit. They never could get their feet under them and lost the final set of the year 15-5. 

The Poets were led in kills by freshman Cheyanne Ybanez with 13 and digs by Briana Rodriguez who had 17. Kaitlin Bullock and Xenia Villagomez also played good games both walking away with double-digit points. 

This was the final game for the Poets this year. They would end the season with an overall record of 9-16. In SCIAC play they ended with a 5-11 record. We say goodbye to the graduating seniors of this team, but are excited for the youth the program has for the coming years!

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

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