SportsVolleyball

League wins brighten outlook for spikers

Although senior outside hitter Margaret Pulver (#11) tries unsuccessfully to keep the ball alive, she still managed 13 kills and 12 digs against Occidental, helping lead the Leos to a 3-1 victory. / photo by Annette Gutierrez
Although senior outside hitter Margaret Pulver (#11) tries unsuccessfully to keep the ball alive, she still managed 13 kills and 12 digs against Occidental, helping lead the Leos to a 3-1 victory. / photo by Annette Gutierrez

by Tanessa Dillard
Sports Editor

After seven losses and no wins in the preseason, the women’s volleyball team opened its league play with a 3-1 (12-15, 15-5, 15-5, 15-7) win over Occidental College last Friday in the Supertents.

“We started off very poorly,” said Head Coach Jim Paschal of the first game. “We played like we’d never played volleyball before.”

Occidental led 4-0 early in the game. They lost three of those points on a rotation call, reducing their lead to one point. Still, the Tigers dominated with an 11-5 lead. The Leos seemed to be continuing on a losing path.

Then they came back. They tightened the score to as close as 12-13, but Occidental closed the game.

“After the first game, we were in complete control,” said Paschal. “I think all of our players had a nice last three games.”

In those games the Leos appeared to be more confident and competitive. They played as if they had been winning all along.

Freshman outside hitter Jennifer Edie contributed 14 kills and 15 digs to the game.

Senior outside hitter Margaret Pulver had 13 kills and 12 digs.

Sophomore middle blocker Michelle Runyan led the team in blocks with five.

According to Paschal, senior setter Kim Caravalho played her best match of the season. She provided the team with 35 assists and 14 digs.

“Even though we won, I don’t think we played to our full potential,” said Caravalho.

Edie attributed the win to the team’s togetherness and communication. “I’m excited we won our first league game,” she said.

“We brought the team along,” said Paschal. “I think we’ll get better as the season goes along. We’re happy to win a match.”

The Leos defeated Whittier on Tuesday night, 3-0 (15-4, 15-8, 15-10), and moved their record to 2-7 overall, 2-0 in SCIAC.

They travel to La Jolla this weekend for the UC San Diego Invitational and play at Pomona-Pitzer on Tuesday.

Tanessa Dillard, Managing Editor
Tanessa Dillard
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