5 Things To Know: SCIAC Semifinal

THE MATCHUP

The second-seeded Chapman University volleyball team (22-4, 14-2 SCIAC) hosts third-seeded Cal Lutheran (17-10, 11-5 SCIAC) on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Semifinal round of the SCIAC Postseason Tournament. The Panthers and Regals split the season series with each team winning its home match. The Panthers came back from an 0-2 deficit to win in five sets at home but fell to the Regals in three straight sets on the road.

HOME COOKIN FOR THE FIRST TIME

The Panthers locked up the No. 2 seed in the tournament thanks, in part, to a perfect record at home this year. With the No. 2 seed, the Panthers earned the right to host the Semifinal for the first time in program history. Chapman was 8-0 against SCIAC opponents on the Hutton Center floor and added in a sweep of UC Santa Cruz in October. Over the last four seasons, the Panthers are a combined 31-8 on their home floor.

BACK-TO-BACK NEWCOMERS

With the announcement of the All-SCIAC teams on Monday, Chapman landed its second consecutive Newcomer of the Year. Last year, setter/right side Sophie Srivastava won the award. Freshman Cat Helgeson took the honors this year after leading the team and the SCIAC with 6.3 digs per set in SCIAC matches this year.

SRIVASTAVA LEADING THE NCAA

Sophomore Sophie Srivastava has posted 11 triple-doubles this season, tallying double digit kills, assists and digs. With one short of a dozen, she has more than any player at all levels of the NCAA. Southern Illinois' Rachel Maguire in the only other player in the nation to get into double digits. Srivastava had 10 triple-doubles last season for a career total of 21 near the halfway point of her college career.

HIGH SCORER

Sophomore Jessi Lumsden has racked up 354 kills, 34 aces, three solo blocks and 22 block assists to lead the SCIAC with 4.5 points per set this season. Her 3.99 kills per set also lead the SCIAC and her .270 hitting percentage is the highest among left side hitters. She ranks 23rd in the nation in points per set and 27th in the nation in kills per set. Her 3.99 kills per set also currently rank as the fifth-highest single season average in Chapman's Division III history.

By Steven Olveda
Sports Information Director

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