Panther volleyball ready to take the court

The Chapman women's volleyball team returns to the Harold Hutton Sports Center for the first time since 2019 after an unprecedented 2020-21 season. All nine women's volleyball teams return to the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) after a competition-lacking 2020 fall.

The Panthers finished second in the 2019 SCIAC standings with a 23-5 overall record (14-2 SCIAC) and advanced to the SCIAC tournament championship falling behind Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 3-0. The Panthers secure key returners and pull in fresh talent to bolster the 2021 roster. 

Sophie Srivastava returns to the court for her third season in Panther uniform. The 2019 All-SCIAC first teamer, All-West Region, and All-American honorable mention saw action in 24 matches executing 244 kills and 619 attacks. 

Srivastava is joined by 2019 SCIAC Newcomer of the Year, Cat Helgeson, who was the Panthers starting libero for all 28 matches in the 2019 season. Helgesen ranked second in the SCIAC and 18th in the nation with 5.93 digs per set. She made her debut with 30 digs and 10 assists in a four-set win over Carroll University. 

Jessi Lumsden, another key returner for the Panthers, was a 2019 All-SCIAC first teamer and led Chapman and the SCIAC with 380 kills and 3.92 kills per set. Lumsden hit a season-best 20 kills to open the season with a win over Carroll.

Freshmen additions seek to step in and see some court time during the 2021 season. Annika Ruud looks to start for the Panthers, she was a three-time All-Conference selection All-State selection as a Junior in high school. 

Conference play begins on Tues.,Sep. 21 as Chapman will host Pomona-Pitzer at the Harold Hutton Sports Center for the 7 p.m. home opener.