Hutton Center ready for volleyball after breakeven trip

ORANGE, Calif. – Following three consecutive weekend tournaments and 12 matches on the road to start the season, the Chapman University volleyball team is finally ready to play its home opener on Friday as the Panthers welcome Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges in their SCIAC opener.

Chapman (7-5 overall) split four matches at the Trinity Tournament in San Antonio, Texas over the weekend, defeating DeSales University (Pa.) and Hardin-Simmons (Texas) in straight sets. The Panthers suffered defeats to Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas) and host Trinity University.

Junior MB Val Geiger led the Panthers once again with 59 kills in four matches, including 21 in the sweep over Hardin-Simmons. It was the fourth time already this season she has finished with over 20 kills in a match. Geiger tied a season-high with three blocks in the match, as well.

Unbeaten Claremont (8-0 overall) will provide a tough test for Chapman in its home opener on Friday night at 7 p.m. The Panthers swept the season series with the Athenas last year, however both matches went five sets. Chapman lost just twice at home last year (14-2). Chapman will play four of its next five matches at Hutton Center, all against SCIAC opponents.

Chapman head coach Mary Cahill is also zeroing in on a milestone, just three victories away from 400 for her career. The Panthers' all-time winningest volleyball coach is currently at 397-306 (.565) in her 25th season and ranks in the top-50 in NCAA Division III in head coaching wins.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

Season stats: http://chapmanathletics.com/sports/wvball/2013-14/teams/chapman

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