Comeback attempt falls short in loss to Pomona-Pitzer

ORANGE, Calif. – Home has not been so sweet for the Chapman University volleyball team through the first two weeks of the season. So it might be good news for the Panthers that they won't play at home again until October 1.

Despite winning the first set, Chapman dropped its fourth straight match, 14-25, 25-18, 25-8, 27-25 to visiting Pomona-Pitzer Colleges at the Hutton Sports Center on Wednesday night. The Panthers fell to 0-3 at home this season.

Chapman (5-6) looked solid from the early going, winning the first set handily 25-14. The Panthers got solid net play (three blocks) from their front line and senior S Kat Kowalski distributed the ball evenly between the Chapman hitters to help the Panthers to an 11-2 run to close out the set.

It was all Pomona-Pitzer (6-3) in the next two sets as the Sagehens rallied for a pair of wins, including a convincing 25-8 decision in the third set. Carly Hite earned nine of her match-high 14 kills in the middle two sets to pace the Sagehens.

A comeback attempt for Chapman was halted late in the fourth set. The Panthers rallied to take a 24-23 lead and were serving game point with a chance to force a fifth set. However, the Sagehens scored four of the next five points to win 27-25. Jordan Hammond's final kill – her 11th of the night – was the match-winner for Pomona-Pitzer.

Chapman was led by sophomore MB Kate Ferrin who had a team-high 13 kills and no hitting errors. Ferrin was also tough on defense with four total blocks. Kowalski added 38 assists and a team-high 25 digs.

The Panthers will play their next four matches on the road before facing Biola University on Friday, Oct. 1.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

Boxscore: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/wvball/2010-11/files/pp-cu.htm