Panthers win third straight, extend hot start

ORANGE, Calif. -  The Chapman University women's volleyball team continued its torrid start to the season with a three-game sweep over visiting Whittier College, 25-16, 25-17, 25-19 at the Hutton Sports Center on Wednesday night. The Panthers won their third match in a row and extended their best start in 14 years to a 5-1 mark overall.

Chapman (5-1) was led by freshman OH Cassidy Gayner who finished with a team-high nine kills and added eight digs on defense. Junior OH Lyndsey Cargile also had seven kills for the Panthers and junior libero Linda Ly led all passers with 19 digs.

Keisha O'Brien recorded a match-high 16 kills for Whittier (0-2).

The win was No. 297 for head coach Mary Cahill in her pursuit of 300 career head coaching victories. Cahill, the school's winningest coach, could reach the milestone in Thousand Oaks this weekend where the Panthers will play their next four matches at the Cal Lutheran Tournament. Chapman returns home for two matches next week.