Cal Lutheran kills Poets' hopes in SCIAC tournament

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Cal Lu, issue 10, Joseph Marlitt, SCIAC, tournament, Sports - By Joseph Marlitt on Thursday, November 10, 2011 - 02:31

For the third time this season, the Whittier College Volleyball team lost a tight game to the Regals of Cal Lutheran University, losing in the semi-finals of the SCIAC Post Season Tournament on Thursday, Nov. 3 25-15, 25-10, 25-23 in front of nearly 400 fans.
Whittier completes their 2011 season 13-19 overall and their 8-6 record in SCIAC earned the second best record in Whittier College history since 1999. This was also the Lady Poets’ first
appearance in the SCIAC Post Season Tournament in nearly six years.

In the first set, Whittier jumped out to an early 8-3 lead, but saw the lead slip away as Regals outside hitter Kylie McLogan helped Cal Lu to the first game victory 25-15 with her 8 kills and set digs in the match.

In the second set, Cal Lu committed only two attacking errors and turned an early 6-6 tie into a 12-6 lead. Even with a large group of Whittier College fans cheering on the Lady Poets, the Purple and Gold could not keep up with the Regals in the second match.
Lead by Regals outside hitter Jackie Russel, who served the final seven points, Cal Lu won the set 25-10 and took a 2-0 lead in the game and forced the Poets to win three straight sets to win the best of five series and remain in the SCIAC Post Season Tournament.

Despite good efforts from sophomore outside hitter Alayna Rigo, who racked up 11 kills, junior setter Alessandra Rios and her 18 assists and sophomore opposite hitter Lindsey Kish’s 10 digs, the Poets could not hold off the Regals in the last set as Cal Lutheran regained the lead late, winning 25-23 and moving on to the finals in the SCIAC Post Season Tournament for the second straight year.