by Raechel Fittante
Features Editor
Still holding strong, the University of La Verne women’s volleyball team had a fluctuating string of wins and losses last week as the team took on Cal Lutheran, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and the University of Redlands, winning two of the three matches.
The team has had a successful season so far; they are currently ranked fourth in the NCAA Division III Western Region. They are in second place in SCIAC behind Cal Lu.
The team was hopeful last Friday night when it took on Cal Lutheran in the Supertents, but was defeated in four games. La Verne won the first game, 15-11, but Cal Lu followed through by winning the next three, 15-5, 15-7 and 15-6.
Seniors Denise Rice and Michelle Pulver each had three service aces against Cal Lu, and Kim Caravalho had 38 assists. Freshman Jennifer Edie had 17 digs and senior Margaret Pulver helped the Leos maintain strength with 15 digs. Rice also had 10 kills, and teammate, freshman outside hitter Celestial George added nine.
The next night, La Verne swept Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in three games on La Verne’s home court, 15-8, 15-10 and 16-14.
“Claremont was the match we put together all of our skills and abilities as players and as a team,” said Rice.
The team had a total of 19 blocks and Caravalho led the Leos with 37 assists. Michelle Pulver had 10 digs and three service assists. Edie also helped the team win with a total of 13 kills for the night.
“We realized how good we are and how far we can go,” Rice said. “We put it all together on Saturday.”The team went to Redlands Tuesday night with the hopes of repeating Saturday’s victory and managed to win three out of the four games, 11-15, 15-9, 15-4 and 15-11.
Caravalho had 16 digs for the team, and Margaret Pulver had 12. Michelle Pulver also had 11 digs.
The Leos play Elizabethtown College tonight in the Supertents at 7:30 and travel to UC San Diego tomorrow for a 5:30 p.m. match.
“I think we have a great chance of defeating them [UCSD],” said Margaret Pulver. “I feel we are a better team this year. That gives us a better chance to defeat them. If we play together and with enthusiasm, then the victory will happen.”
Raechel Fittante
