Hutton sweet Hutton: Panthers sweep Whittier to extend streak

ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University volleyball team returned home and got back on its winning track with a three-set sweep over visiting Whittier College (25-12, 25-9, 25-16) in SCIAC action at the Hutton Sports Center on Friday night. The win was the Panthers' eighth straight on its own floor, including a perfect 4-0 home record this season.

Chapman (11-2 overall, 5-1 SCIAC) has experienced a great deal of success against Whittier over the years, running its winning streak against the Poets to 21 matches, including 13 in a row via the sweep. In fact, the Panthers have won 28 consecutive sets against Whittier dating back to 2004.

With the score close in the first set, Chapman caught fire at the end as junior OH Lena Buckendorf served up eight consecutive points and the Panthers took a 23-11 lead. Senior OH Ashleigh Gideon earned six of her 10 kills, including the set point to give Chapman the 25-12 win. Gideon earned her 11th double-double of the year – and seventh in a row – in kills and digs.

In the second set Chapman pulled away early and cruised to the 25-9 win, its second-largest margin of victory this year. Sophomore MB Val Geiger led Chapman with seven of her match-high 16 kills. Geiger also finished with three blocks in the match.

Behind the serving of freshman OH Katelyn Ashby, the Panthers rattled off 11 straight points to turn a 3-3 tie into a 14-3 lead and eventually a 25-16 win for the sweep. Junior setter Corrine Ostrovsky finished the match with 35 assists.

The win sets up a showdown on Saturday in Thousand Oaks between second-place Chapman and No. 8-ranked Cal Lutheran, which is unbeaten in SCIAC play. It's a rematch of last year's second round NCAA playoff match where the Regals eliminated Chapman.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

Boxscore: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/wvball/2012-13/boxscores/20120928_n0by.xml

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