LA VERNE, Calif. (Oct. 4, 2022)- The Poets fell in a five-set SCIAC matchup with the La Verne Leopards, despite winning the first two sets.

The Poets jumped out to an early 13-10 lead before La Verne took a timeout. After another good run, the Whittier women were up 18-13, forcing La Verne's second timeout. The Poets slammed the door before long, taking the set 25-19. 

Whittier found itself on a 4-0 run to start the second. The Poets were led here by the duo of Xenia Villagomez and Analise Kusleika. La Verne found themselves in a familiar spot, having to take a timeout when Whittier took the lead 12-6. The Leopards were able to fight back, cutting their deficit to 15-12, prompting Whittier's first timeout. Kusleika would then provide a spark, as she recorded three kills and two blocks to give Whittier five points and ultimately the 25-17 win.

The third started with the teams trading points. The score was 11-11, with neither team giving in. They continued trading blows before La Verne went on a run and led 21-17. La Verne quickly scored two points before attack errors made the score 23-19. The deficit proved too large for the Poets to overcome, and the Leopards took the set 25-20. 

At the outset of the fourth set, the Leopards erased an early deficit and took full control. Whittier could not recover, and the set ended 25-15. 

As the decisive fifth set opened, La Verne jumped out to an early 3-1 lead before the Poets fought back and tied it 3-3. Some attack errors would eventually prove costly for the Poets, as the Leopards won the set, 15-12, thus emerging victorious in the match.

The Poets played hard through the match, but their efforts came up short in the end. They were led in kills by Villagomez's 13 and Kusleika's nine. On the defensive side, Cheyanne Ybanez paced Whittier with 20 digs. 

Whittier now stands at 3-3 in conference play. It looks to get back above .500 in SCIAC play when it hosts Redlands this Friday the 7th at 7 p.m.

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