SAN ANTONIO, TX. (September 16, 2023)- After dropping both games on day 1 of the Trinity Fall Classic, the Poets were looking to get back on track during their second day of action. The first game was against a very tough opponent in Trinity and they would lose 3-0, but then in the second game against Southwestern Whittier was able to battle hard and win in the 5th set. 

GAME 1: 

As the first game started the Poets looked really good and were communicating well with each other. They were going back and forth with Trinity and would not let the Tigers take control of the game. The score continued to be close until Trinity was able to go on a final run and win it 25-23. 

The second and third sets were not the same story for Whittier. The girls struggled to get anything going and had a hard time defending the dominant Trinity offense. The Poets would lose the second set 25-13 and the third 25-9. 

GAME 2: 

The second game and Whittier was looking to end the tournament on a high note against Southwestern. The girls came out with a great energy, but trailed early in this game. Then the energy shifted and Whittier was back in action as they got kill after kill to recapture the lead. Once the Poets took a 13-12 lead they did not look back. The great communication and overall team play allowed the girls to go on a nice run to end the first set with a 25-20 victory. 

The second and third set did not fall in the Poets favor. In the second, Whittier fought hard but came up just short losing 25-22. The third set however was not one where the Poets were able to get anything going and would lose 25-17. 

Now down 2 sets to 1, Whittier was starting a must win 4th set. The Poets started off great, capitalizing on all the Southwestern mistakes and eventually held a 12-6 lead. The girls continued to play with enthusiasm this set and went on multiple runs, including a 6 point one to extend their lead to 21-11. Maintaining this dominance Whittier would end up winning 25-13. 

In the deciding 5th set  neither team came out flat and it looked to be a battle to the 15th point. With the score tied at 9, the Poets went on one final run and were able to secure the 15-11 victory. 

Whittier would come back to come out on top in these final two must-win games to walk away with a 3-2 victory. The girls put up some huge numbers during this and played well all around. Riley DeGroot (Ontario, Calif., Mt. San Antonio College) continued her hot start of the year finishing with 15 kills, 15 digs, 17 total points. Mia D'Amato (Bakersfield, Calif., Garces HS) also had an outstanding game with 13 kills and 7 block assists. Xenia Villagomez (Corona, Calif., Santiago HS) (11) and Sofia Zazueta (La Mirada, Calif., Orange Lutheran HS ) (10) dominated on the offensive end as they each put up double-digit kills. None of the kills would have been possible if it was not for the fact Jordan Heard (San Dimas, Calif., San Dimas HS) and Morgan Lin (Glendora, Calif., Glendora HS) were fantastic with their passes all game. Freshman Brenna Kusleika (Upland, Calif., Claremont) performed well finishing with 8 kills, 6 block assists, and 4 digs. On the defensive end Nadine Oronoz (Whittier, Calif., Rio Hondo College) put up an amazing 28 digs. Now the Poets will return home to begin SCIAC play. They will be traveling to Claremont where they will take on Pomona-Pitzer Friday (September 22) at 7:00. 

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