Panthers hit the road after sweep

ORANGE, Calif. - The Chapman University women's volleyball team won for the fourth time in its past five matches, defeating visiting Whittier College 25-15, 25-17, 25-19 on Tuesday night at the Hutton Sports Center. The Panthers evened their record at home to 3-3, but will have to play their next 13 matches all on the road.

The three-game sweep was Chapman's fifth this season and seventh in row against Whittier. The Poets haven't taken a game from the Panthers since 2005 and haven't defeated Chapman since 2001 - a streak of 16 consecutive Chapman match victories and the Panthers' longest against any opponent.

Chapman (9-7) climbed two games over .500 for the first time since Sept. 12. The Panthers were led by a pair of freshmen, MB Lauren Crawford who earned a match-high 10 kills, and OH Renee Roth who added seven kills. The two combined for a .593 hitting percentage with 17 kills and just one error. Junior S Kat Kowalski tallied 30 assists in the victory.

The Panthers' defense also sparkled with five different players reaching double-digits in digs, led by senior libero Linda Ly's 19. Sophomore OH Alana Long kept some long rallies alive with several of her 13 digs, as well.

The loss was the fourth straight for Whittier (3-5) after opening the season 3-1. The Poets' Shannon Orlins had a team-high nine kills and played a role in all four of the team's blocks.

The Panthers won't return to the Hutton Center until Oct. 29 when they will host La Sierra University at 7 p.m. Their string of 13 away matches begins on Wednesday night at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges and includes tournaments at La Verne and Colorado College in October.

Box score: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/wvball/2009-10/stats/wc-cu.htm