Southwestern University

LA VERNE, CALIFORNIA – Taking on a top 10 team in the nation to close out the California Invitational, Southwestern University Volleyball fell 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-21) to No. 6 University of La Verne in a tightly contested match on Saturday. SU moves to 1-2 on the season.
 
Set one saw SU jump out to an early 4-1 advantage behind kills from Alta Wilson, Sophia Burke, Evamarie Planchet and an attack error. The Leopards pulled within one at 5-4 before the Pirates went up 10-5. SU continued to pull away, taking a 14-10 lead, but La Verne stormed back and continued to push SU with several ties. Tied at 22 apiece, the Leopards were able to tack on the final three points behind two attack errors and a kill to claim set one 25-22.
 
Set two was much of the same through the first 12 points as the teams would be tied at 9-9 before La Verne started to create separation. The Leopards took a 16-12 lead before SU cut the deficit to two at 18-16. The Pirates continued to hang around as they pulled within two once again at 24-22 before a final kill decided the set.
 
La Verne appeared to have control of the final set as they took a 23-14 advantage. Southwestern, responded with a three-point run late to cut the deficit to 23-17, before pulling within three at 24-21. La Verne was able to close the match with a kill.

"Today was an important step forward for our growth as we were tied 22–22 with a top 10 team in set one," stated head coach Don Flora. "We need to process and produce in those points and in those fun and competitive moments. These are things that are fantastic to see our athletes process on the fly today."

"We defended very well behind our block today, but we need to turn a few block touches into block stuffs to impact the rhythm of a match."

"We continue to see good balance in our offense. We just need to be able to be in rhythm and tempo and things will continue to develop."
 
GAME HIGHLIGHTS

• Southwestern had 36 kills while La Verne had 35.
• Kendall Jurgens, Sophia Burke and Tatum Ahrens had seven kills apiece.
• Burke led the pirates with four blocks.
• Caroline Srubar tallied 24 assists, marking her second straight game with 20 or more assists.

 
UP NEXT 
The Pirates will be back in action next weekend as they host the SU opener from Sept. 11 – 12. Southwestern opens the event against Linfield University on Friday at 12:15 p.m.