THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – California Lutheran's Women's Volleyball team took part in a battle of the blocks against the Sagehens of Pomona-Pitzer tonight. The match went the distance and the Regals came out on top in blocks, but the Sagehens managed to take the all important 5th set and the match 3-2.
Pomona-Pitzer got out to a fast start and took a commanding 18-5 lead. Middle blocker Kira Mortensen and right side Miranda Chan teamed up for two consecutive big blocks, but the momentum didn't shift far enough in Cal Lutheran's favor. The Sagehens would go on to take set 1 25-12.
Set 2 saw the Regals take a lead from the opening point and hold onto it until a late 23-23 tie. After giving up the lead for the first time in the set, a kill and an ace from outside hitter Sophia Muller gave the Regals set point. Pomona-Pitzer would stave off that set point and take the next two as well to win the set 27-25.
Down 2 sets, the Regals pushed out to an early 10-3 lead behind the serve of libero Isabella Wade. The Sagehens pushed back to tie and even take the lead at 23-21. The Regals would then run through the last 4 points of the set, including a solo block to finish it off by Kira Morensen, to take set 3 25-23.
The 4th set was tight throughout, with the teams trading one and two point runs. With the end in sight, the Sagehens took a precarious 22-21 lead. Cal Lutheran would again take the final 4 points of the set behind the serve of defensive specialist Julia Trento who served up an ace to take the set 25-22.
In the deciding set, the Regals struggled out of the gate as the Sagehens took a 5-1 lead. The Regals reduced the deficit to 8-6 on a block from Maci Haddad and Tess Holbert, but that would be the closest they would come. Pomona-Pitzer would go on to take the set 15-7 and the match 3-2.
The Regals were led by Kira Mortensen who accounted for 17 total points on the night with 9 kills, 3 solo blocks, and 10 block assists. Maci Haddad again reached double figures with 10 kills on the way to 15.5 points. Sophia Muller had 12 points and Morgan Given had 10.5.
It was also a big night for setter Tess Holbert who had a career high 34 assists.
The Regals are back on the road Friday at 7:00pm to take on the Poets of Whittier College.
Box Score: CLU 2, PPC 3
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Release by: Steven Lohn, Assistant Sports Information Direction
