by Julie Eklund
Staff Writer
After defeating the UC San Diego Tritons in the championship game of the UCSD Tournament on Feb. 17, the University of La Verne men’s volleyball team lost to them on Tuesday night, 15-11, 15-5 and 16-14.
La Verne played competitively against the Tritons. After a strong first game, they faltered in the second, but managed to get the energy back to go into overtime in the third. Junior Rob Sneider led the Leopards in kills with 13, but it was not enough against the 27 made by senior Triton Tom Black.
“La Verne beat us in three games down at our place [during the UCSD tournament], and I felt like we had a score to settle,” said UCSD Head Coach Doug Dannevic.
Last Saturday the Leopards lost to the No. 1 ranked University of Hawaii, 15-6, 15-13 and 15-5, putting the Leopards’ overall record at 3-12.
In the three games against the Rainbows, La Verne started out well, scoring an immediate point and side out in the first game, the first three points in the second game and the first point in the third game.
However, with the exception of the second game, their initial triumphs were soon quieted by Hawaii, who consistently caught up with, surpassed and beat the Leopards.
“I think we have the ability to beat anybody, but we have to play consistently throughout all three games,” said sophomore team captain Joel Harworth after the game.
Despite 16 kills by Sneider and 15 by freshman Chris Peterson, the Leopards were unable to keep up with the plays of the Tritons, the No. 1 ranked team in the nation.
“We played outstanding, with good energy,” said head coach Don Flora.
“That was probably our best match of the season as far as playing as a team. We’re improving vastly. We’ve made a lot of changes,” said Peterson. “We’re starting to play better as a unit.”
Only the top four teams go on to compete in the national playoffs. ULV, in its second year competing at the NCAA Division I level, currently is not ranked, but plays against most of the top-ranked teams in the nation.
