PASADENA, Calif. — The Caltech women's volleyball team hosted the No. 15 University of La Verne Leopards on Friday night for an interconference duel at Braun Gymnasium, where sophomore outside hitter Alize Bakker (Portland, Ore. / Westview) surpassed 200 season kills. It was the final home contest of the season for the squad, who tested the nationally-ranked foe in each set.

Bakker led all players from both teams in kills, with 13; her season total thus far with one match remaining comes in at 205, putting her at No. 3 in program history for kills in a single season.

The Beavers put up a strong match as they battled valiantly with the second-place team in the SCIAC. The first set proved a close one with Caltech posting 12 kills and two service aces along with a block to keep the Leopards on their toes, ultimately getting within two points of La Verne at 20-18 before the Leopards escaped with the set victory.

The second set was another close battle with the Beavers landing nine kills and forcing three attack errors. They pushed back and forth with the Leopards throughout the set, bringing themselves to within one at 17-16 and four at 23-19 before the guests took the set, 25-20.

The third set followed the theme of the other two with it coming down to the wire. Caltech had four kills, a block and two service aces to keep themselves in the set, getting within two at 19-17 and within four again at 23-19. The squad's late push was not enough, however, as the visitors nabbed an ace on match point to take the victory.

Despite the result, many players had great performances for Caltech; in addition to Bakker's match-leading 13 kills, the sophomore led the team in digs, with 12. First-year middle blocker and outside hitter Noelle Wilkinson (Bentonville, Ark. / Thaden School) recorded three blocks to lead all players on both teams, coming just one shy of matching her collegiate career high.

First-year outside hitter and opposite Andrea Li (Calgary, Alb. / Sir Winston Churchill) registered two service aces to tie the match-high; she also finished second on the team in kills with five. First-year setter Lana Saopraseuth (Vancouver, Wash. / Union HS) led the Beavers in assists with 11.

After a tough battle and strong individual efforts, the Beavers will rally and hit the road for their final match of the year versus the University of Redlands on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 7:00 pm. Follow the action at GoCaltech.com/coverage.

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