SportsVolleyball

Volleyball takes rollercoaster ride

During last Saturday’s volleyball match against the University of Redlands, Talin Baharian bumps the ball as her teammates (l-r) Michelle Pulver, Michelle Runyan and Margaret Pulver look on. / photo by Ary Farajollahi
During last Saturday’s volleyball match against the University of Redlands, Talin Baharian bumps the ball as her teammates (l-r) Michelle Pulver, Michelle Runyan and Margaret Pulver look on. / photo by Ary Farajollahi

by Rosie Sinapi
Sports Editor

After collecting its first Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) win of the season last Friday night, the women’s volleyball team lost Saturday night against the University of Redlands in five games, 11-15, 15-13, 16-14, 12-15 and 10-15.

Friday night the Leos were victorious over Claremont needing only four games to beat the Athenas, 18-16, 16-14, 13-15 and 15-9.

“It would have been great to win back to back…we play up and down,” said Head Coach Jim Paschal. “We played consistently against Claremont, and with Redlands we didn’t get started up right.”

Returning home, a different Leopard team was seen. Junior Michelle Pulver started the Leo attack in the first game, but was soon quieted when Redlands’ Christina Gray served for two points with the help of fellow Bulldogs Maren Hollister and Thea Stuedli. ULV came back later in the game due to several errors on the part of the Bulldogs. Hollister had three errors during the match, one for the sideout and two on junior Kim Caravalho’s serves.

Although La Verne rallied late in the game scoring two points, one off of freshman Tresa Tearpak’s ace and another off of freshman Michele Runyan’s kill, the Leopards lost the first game, 15-11.

Junior Margaret Pulver came out strong in the second game scoring the first point with kill. Redlands quickly answered with five points of their own.

Margaret Pulver came through with a strong showing finishing the game with 11 kills while Michelle Pulver and senior Talin Baharian both having six.

Another key to the Leo’s turn around in game two was setting the ball. They used a combination straight out of a textbook with middleblocker Runyan’s serve receive bringing the ball to the front, Caravalho setting it up and for a Baharian kill. The Leos won game two 15-13.

“As a team, it was the best match we’ve had,” Paschal said.

The Leos continued their domination in the third, scoring four unanswered points early in the game. The Bulldogs caught up by out scoring the Leos 7-1. Paschal called a time out and the Leopards responded due in part to two kills by Margaret Pulver.

Margaret Pulver ended the game with two consecutive aces. The Leos won the game, 16-14.

After winning two consecutive games, the Leos looked as if they were on their way to winning the match, but unfortunately the Bulldogs were not ready to give in. Redlands came on strong leading through most of the game. Baharian provided for three kills late in the game, closing the gap, 12-14, The Bulldogs scored immediately after off of a La Verne error winning, 15-12.

In rally scoring, the Leopards faced the same fate. Scoring first in the fifth game, the Leos only held their lead for several serves until Redlands’ Gray served for six points, two off aces. The Leos loss their final match, 15-10.

“As a team, the last match (Redlands) we should have won. When your up by four in the start during rally scoring, all you need to do is get sideouts,” Paschal said.

He added how a lack of reserves plays heavy on winning. “The team was getting tired.”

Tuesday night the Leos faced Chapman College losing in three straight games, 15-8, 15-12, 15-3. Chapman is ranked fourth in the West Region. With the loss La Verne is 4-15 overall and 1-4 in league.

Rosie Sinapi, Editor in Chief
Rosie Sinapi
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