Win streak reaches five as volleyball enjoys home success

ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University volleyball team continued its red-hot play at home on Tuesday night defeating visiting Whittier College in four sets (25-17, 25-27, 25-21, 25-15) at the Hutton Sports Center to remain unbeaten in SCIAC play this season. The Panthers have won a season-high five consecutive matches, including a perfect 4-0 home record and have now won 17 of the last 18 matches on their own floor.

The difference in what was otherwise an evenly-played match was Chapman's quick starts in the first and fourth sets. Both times the Panthers jumped out to a 9-1 advantage and held on from there. Whittier rallied in the second set – down by as many as five points – to come from behind and win 27-25. The Poets also looked like they could win the third set, leading 21-19 late in the set, but Chapman came roaring back with six consecutive points to win the swing game 25-21.

Chapman (12-5 overall, 5-0 SCIAC) was paced offensively by junior MB Val Geiger who finished with 23 kills and a .513 hitting percentage (three errors, 39 total attacks). It is the eighth time this season she has recorded at least 20 kills in a match and the fourth time during the Panthers' five-match winning streak.

Sophomore OH Michele Hammer added 16 kills and 10 digs for Chapman. Senior S Corrine Ostrovsky added 53 assists in the win.

Whittier (10-7 overall, 3-3 SCIAC) was led by Alayna Rigo and Lindsey Kish, each with 13 kills. Libero Alyssa Acosta led all defenders with 21 digs.

Next up for the Panthers, a showdown with No. 5-ranked Cal Lutheran University in a battle for first place. Both squads are unbeaten in conference play heading into Friday's matchup in Thousand Oaks. Chapman will return home on Saturday to host Pomona-Pitzer Colleges during Homecoming Weekend in a 1 p.m. matinee at Hutton Center.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

Boxscore: http://chapmanathletics.com/sports/wvball/2013-14/boxscores/20131001_poy3.xml

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