LA VERNE, Calif. — The Caltech volleyball team faced off against the No. 21 University of La Verne Leopards on Tuesday in an evening inter-conference matchup.

Both teams entered the contest unbeaten in conference play with the two squads each holding a 2-0 record against foes in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC). The Beavers opened SCIAC play with a 3-0 sweep over Redlands before topping Pomona-Pitzer in a thrilling five-set clash.

After topping the Sagehens on Saturday, the Beavers knew the tough task ahead as they prepared for the nationally ranked Leopards, who entered the matchup 11-0 on the year with just nine sets lost.

It was the Beavers that jumped out to a two-point advantage at 3-1 in the first set after senior OH/OPP Claire Perhach delivered a thundering kill off the set from first-year setter Shreeya Thuppul followed up by two errors from the Leopards.

The hosts would tie the match at 3-3 before the Beavers re-gained the lead at 4-3 as Perhach connected on another kill; this time she was fed by senior setter and all-time program assist leader Halle Blend.

La Verne tied the match up in the next point before taking over and extending the lead. The Beavers tried to catch back up though were unsuccessful as the Leopards took the first set.

Set 2 proved a different story as Caltech tested the unbeaten foe. After trading points throughout the first part of the set, the Beavers seemed to find their groove in the middle part of the set, winning six of seven points to go up 12-8 on the Leopards. Two huge kills from Perhach highlighted the Beavers' run and electrified the Caltech bench.

La Verne tied the contest up at 14-14 before a Leopard attack error and a substantial kill from senior MB/OPP Helen Brackney put the Beavers back up two points.

The squads reached yet another tie as the score became 19-19 before La Verne connected on some impressive points to nab the narrow second set win, 25-21.

The home team got off to a quick start in the third set; Caltech responded in the later part of the action as the two teams split the match's final eight points 4-4, though it was too late as La Verne reached its final point.

The Beavers beat out La Verne in block assists, recording 10 on the evening to tie their season high set last Saturday. The squad recorded its second-most blocks in a season so far, with five.

Perhach led the team in kills with six while Blend led the group in assists (11) and digs (nine). Brackney tied her career high in blocks (three).

Next up for the Beavers is a home clash versus California Lutheran University this Friday, Sep. 29 at 7 p.m. Cheer on the squad in person or follow along online at gocaltech.com/coverage.

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