THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (Sept. 17, 2022) - Whittier started the second match of the day hot against the Endicott Gulls, who entered a perfect 5-0. After beginning the match 4-0, the Poets did not relinquish their lead in the game, winning the first set 25-18.

The second set was a 180-degree flip as the Poets found themselves trailing 5-0. Although the set was competitive to the end, the Whittier women dropped it 25-22.

During the third set, however, the Poets dominated possession quickly, taking the set 25-10.

The match wrapped up in a game where Whittier continued to assert its superiority. Though the Gulls would strike first, Whittier took the lead back before long and never gave it back. The Poets won the fourth set 25-20 and the match 3-1.

Freshman Cheyanne Ybañez led the Poets in kills for a second straight match with 15, sporting a strong hitting percentage of .325. Fellow first-year players Sofia Zazueta and Maia Cicero also had noteworthy performances. Zazueta recorded triple-digit kills for the third time this season (10), and Cicero posted an outstanding .467 hitting percentage with four blocks assisted and one solo block. Sophomore Analise Kusleika contributed a season-high six block assists, the second most of her college career (she had seven in a 3-1 Oct. 12 victory at Chapman last season).

Senior Kaitlin Bullock attributed the team's win to "asserting dominance early in the game against a competitive team."

Next for Whittier, it opens conference play at home this Tuesday September 20th against CMS, entering with a two-match win streak.