WHITTIER, Calif. (Sept. 7, 2025) – The Whittier College volleyball team turned in an impressive 3-1 record at its own Whittier College Invitational, hosting games contested between and against the likes of SCIAC foes Chapman University and Occidental College, as well as Northwest Conference schools Whitworth University and Whitman College along with the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Friday Game 1: Whittier 3, Whitman 0
The Poets got off on the right foot with a dominate win over Whitman, showcasing a hint of the collective form they displayed at last weekend's Pacific Coast Classic in Claremont. Offensive efficiency once again proved to be key, as out of a possible 75 winning points, the Poets ended 45 of them under their own volition with kills from eight different players.
"This group has been really resilient and competitive in the gym," Head Coach
Chris Duarte-McDermott said. "The ups and downs haven't affected us. These player genuinely like each other and want each other to succeed more than achieving their own personal success."
Personal success still came in abundance for the Poets this weekend, with sophomore outside hitter Malena Thé front and center. Thé turned in a .381 hitting percentage against the Blues, who had few answers every time she went up for the ball. Setting duo
Sophia Padilla and Haley Church had a hyper efficient first day of competition as well, but in the first game, both players were able to convert successful dumps to throw the visiting Blues off balance. Church, in particular, broke out with 20 assists in this match, feeding players like Thé, junior captain
Mia D'Amato and freshman outside hitter
Sophia Padilla.
The Blues ultimately had few ideas by way of answers for the Poets' offense. Even at the net, the Poets were able to win key points when they needed to with junior
Chianti Raddavero and D'Amato combining on all three of the Poets' blocks for the game. Raddavero had been planned to move to libero this year, but given the shorthanded nature of the squad, she played in a more offensive role and finished the weekend with the best four-game stretch of her career to date.
Friday Game 2: Whittier 3, UC Santa Cruz 1
The Poets' form carried over against a tough UC Santa Cruz team that brought plenty of energy to a 3-0 victory over Chapman prior to taking the floor against Whittier. The high-energy Banana Slugs didn't skip a beat, but neither did the Poets, and the result was four sets of competitive, high-level Division III volleyball. Thé, in particular, found another level against the Slugs and simply couldn't miss with 15 kills to just four errors.
"Malena is doing a great job," Duarte-McDermott said. "Her growth this year has been huge. I think she has just freed herself from any expectations and come back with veterans experience. She goes out and wants to play the game hard and play it well. She's someone who clearly enjoys the process each and every day."
Thé has some stiff competition in a very top-heavy SCIAC, but has quickly established herself as a premier outside hitter among her peers. On Friday, she made the most of her opportunities whenever her numbers was called, which was 47 times in the second game of the day. Meanwhile, the Poets were able to match the Santa Cruz energy and turn in a 25-10 exclamation point in the third set. Freshman
Morgan Kinser picked up a pair of solo blocks, and given the shorthanded nature of the squad carried the load at middle blocker in an immense way throughout the weekend. She also had nine kills on 15 attempts, while the younger Padilla sister, freshman Lola, picked up 10 kills of her own. D'Amato also brough her A-game with eight kills on 16 attempts with just one error.
Saturday Game 1: Whitworth 3, Whittier 0
As great as the Poets looked this weekend, it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. In the first game of Saturday's two-game slate, they played a Whitworth University team that ran the table in Northwest Conference play last year and lost just three times; once in the NCAA Tournament, and once to SCIAC powerhouse Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges in the preseason. Despite coming off a grueling five-set defeat to Chapman in the earlier game, the Pirates played much better while the shorthanded Poets contended with fatigue and nagging injuries.
Thé did manage to reach double-digit kills, and Raddavero had another huge game with seven kills on 11 attempts. However, the Pirates proved to be a little more equipped at the net and were able to successfully convert their runs into victories in three competitive sets. Thé also led the Whittier defense with 11 digs in this one, but Whitworth was no slouch whatsoever. The Pirates stuck to their gameplan and checked the Poets for the first time this season, snapping a 12-game winning streak for the Whittier Athletic Department to begin the fall season.
Saturday Game 2: Whittier 3, Occidental 0
The final game of the Whittier Invitational came in the form of non-conference fare against a much improved Occidental College team. The Tigers had just pushed Chapman over three sets, and at times, pushed the Poets with sound play at the net. This match also featured, for the first time all weekend, a set that extended past 25 points. Luckily, the Poets were able to show their resolve and come out on top in the second, taking it 28-26. Here, the Poets were able to lean on some sound defense from libero duo
Alyssa Gonzalez and
Jessica Ferreira and win some long points with
Lola Padilla, Thé, and others able to successfully finish points.
The third set saw the Poets finally regain the form that opened eyes on the first day of the tournament, running away with it 25-8. Whittier's biggest run came on the serve of Ferreira, who three times aced the Tigers over that stretch. The senior libero also joined Thé in double-digit digs for the match, rotating with Gonzalez throughout the contest. Meanwhile, Thé and Padilla carried the offense with double-digit kills while senior
Sofia Zazueta came up big with five kills of her own.
The second day of the tournament tested the Poets' resolve at points, but whether winning, coming up short or battling, the Poets showcased the traits of a team that has the potential put together a deep postseason run, no matter how the schedule breaks.
"Adaptability has been huge, and versatility as well," Duarte-McDermott said. "We have always talked about our depth. I think circumstance has forced us to prove it, and the girls are rising, which is so fun to see. We always talk about being a team of good volleyball players regardless of position. This weekend, our players definitely showcased that."
Duarte-McDermott and the Poets will have to some time to re-calibrate, rest, and recuperate before traveling to the DMV for four games the weekend of Sept. 19.
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