WHITTIER, Calif. (Nov. 1, 2024) – The Whittier College volleyball team, led by several key contributors, defeated Caltech in straight sets to clinch a spot in the SCIAC Postseason Tournament for the second time in as many years.
Whittier needed some help from Pomona-Pitzer Colleges to clinch a top-five finish on Friday night. Luckily, the Sagehens were able to defeat California Lutheran University, 3-1, to spare the Poets the late-season drama. Whittier remains a game up on Pomona-Pitzer, and holds the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Sagehens. At this point in the season, they can finish as high as second in the conference and as low as fourth.
As for the match itself, the Poets overcame a slow start to give their six senior members a lasting memory on their special night. Prior to the game,
Analise Kusleika (Upland, Calif. / Claremont),
Morgan Lin (Glendora, Calif. / Glendora),
Nadine Oronoz (Whittier, Calif. / Southland Christian / Rio Hondo College),
Riley DeGroot (Ontario, Calif. / Ontario Christian / Mt. San Antonio College),
Breanna Lizarraga, and fifth-year
Xenia Villagomez (Corona, Calif. / Santiago) were recognized and championed for their achievements and contributions to the program.
While Caltech opened to the tune of a 6-2 lead, the Poets were able to successfully recover without the team having to burn an early timeout. Junior
Sophia Padilla (Fontana, Calif. / St. Lucy's) had a lot to do with the comeback, as the Poets were able to make it 7-6 on her serve. However, the junior setter's steadiness in setting situations turned out to be a particular weapon on Friday, as she finished with 20 assists, rotating regularly with setting partner Lin. In doing so, Padilla made it consecutive matches with 20 assists, and meanwhile picked up three service aces against the Beavers.
From there, the Poets had little trouble taking care of business, improving in each set on the overall score line (25-21, 25-14, 25-8). Offensively, the Poets' top performer was senior DeGroot, who had 10 kills to just one error. Sophomore middle
Mia D'Amato (Bakersfield, Calif. / Garces), meanwhile, had six kills of her own on just nine total attacks.
Head Coach
Chris Duarte-McDermott and the Poets will return to action on Election Night; Tuesday, Nov. 5, when they travel to Chapman University for a 7 p.m. game.
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