Youth, depth on display in season opening victory

ORANGE, Calif. -  The Chapman University women's volleyball team needed extra points to win the pivotal third game, but the 27-25 Game 3 victory propelled the Panthers to a 3-1 season-opening victory over visiting Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges at the Hutton Sports Center on Wednesday night.

Chapman (1-0) won 25-19, 18-25, 27-25, 25-21 to make it 13 consecutive home opening wins. The Panthers haven't lost a home debut since 1995.

The Panthers relied on healthy doses of youth and exhibited some depth on their way to a four-game victory. Freshman OH Cassidy Gayner led Chapman with a match-high 16 kills and she added 12 digs in her college debut. Sophomore OH Vanessa Heavens also reached double-digits in kills with 12. Five Chapman players recorded at least six kills in the win, despite playing without two-time All-American Jill Felger who's out temporarily with an injury.

Sophomore S Kat Kowalski and freshman S Kathleen Dude combined for 43 assists, setting the table for the Chapman offense.

Claremont (1-0) had three players with double-digit kills: Jamie Matusiak (11), Sarah Marietta (11) and Jenna Suttmeier (10).