WHITTIER, Calif. (Oct. 11, 2025) – The Whittier College volleyball team withstood two of its toughest challenges of the season this weekend, first playing on the road at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges, then hosting California Lutheran University in the annual Homecoming game.
Friday: CMS 3, Whittier 0
The Poets first ran into a deep and experienced CMS squad looking to prove they are still an elite nationally-relevant program. The Athenas played a relatively mistake-free brand of volleyball, causing the visitors to force the issue more often than not. However, sophomore outside hitter
Malena The (Chino Hills, Calif. / Chino Hills / Westmont College) still led the Whittier offense with 11 kills. Whittier's best segment of the match came over the first set where they hit a collective .200, and the Poets' serve continued to be a strength with juniors
Mia D'Amato (Bakersfield, Calif. / Garces) and
Hailey Church (La Habra, Calif. / La Habra) each registering at least two service aces.
Church also led the Poets defensively with 14 digs, double-doubling with 13 assists while splitting time with senior
Sophia Padilla (Fontana, Calif. / St. Lucy's).
Saturday: Cal Lutheran 3, Whittier 1
Whittier had a better go of it against Cal Lutheran particularly over a first set in which the Poets were able to play their brand of efficient, attacking volleyball. The Poets hit a collective .250 over this segment, their best of the weekend.
Freshman
Lola Padilla (Fontana, Calif. / St. Lucy's) had a career game with 12 kills, rotating with a host of Whittier outside hitters, particularly late in the contest. Meanwhile, junior D'Amato had her second consecutive game of three service aces, and senior libero
Jessica Ferreira (Whittier, Calif. / La Serna / Cypress College) had a game-high 27 digs as a defensive constant for the Purple & Gold over all four sets.
Head Coach
Chris Duarte-McDermott and the Poets will look to rebound starting with a Wednesday night road game at Caltech.
Follow and show support for your Whittier Poets on Twitter (@WCPoets), YouTube and Instagram (@PoetAthletics)!