LA VERNE, Calif. — The Caltech volleyball team opened conference play on Friday as the squad clashed with the No. 9 University of La Verne Leopards in an evening road matchup. The Beavers hung tough in every set but ultimately could not topple the nationally-ranked powerhouse, falling 20-25, 10-25, 19-25.

Action began just after 7 p.m. and it was the hosts who scored the opening point, but a ferocious kill from first-year outside hitter/opposite Andrea Li (Calgary, Alb. Sir Winston Churchill) off a nice set from junior setter Giulia Murgia (Iglesias, Italy / Istituto di Istruzione Superiore G. Asproni) put Caltech on the scoreboard moments later.

The Leopards extended their lead to as many as six at 8-2 and again at 9-3, but it was at this point that the Beavers began to find their rhythm; the squad posted a 6-1 run to get within one point at 10-9, with major kills coming from sophomore outside hitter Alize Bakker (Portland, Ore. / Westview), first-year setter/opposite Stephanie Wallen (Miami / Ransom Everglades), first-year middle blocker/outside hitter Noelle Wilkinson (Bentonville, Ark. / Thaden School) and first-year outside hitter/opposite Brittany Rosario (San Juan, PR / San Juan Math, Science and Tech Center). The squad also scored off an ace from Bakker and an opposing service error which the squad wisely let fall out.

The two teams traded points before Caltech tied the set at 15-15 after forcing a Leopard attack error. The Beavers tied the score once more at 16-16 and again at 17-17 before La Verne pulled ahead by just a few points, ultimately taking the set.

The Beavers saw some nice kills from Rosario, Li, Bakker and rookie setter/opposite Ailsa Shen (Calgary, Alb. Western Canada HS) in Set 2, but could not overcome the overpowering La Verne offense as the hosts picked up the set victory.

Caltech did not lay down, however, as the team took on the third set; Murgia opened the action by forcing a La Verne attack error to go up 1-0 before setting up Shen for a massive kill a few points later. A nice kill from Bakker put Caltech within a point at 3-4 before first-year setter Lana Saopraseuth (Vancouver, Wash. / Union HS) set up Wilkinson for a set-tying kill at 5-5. Saopraseuth forced a Leopard attack error on the following point to put the Beavers up 6-5 but La Verne soon tied the set before re-taking the lead.

The Beavers continued to put up a valiant effort as they fought through some longer rallies and connected for several strong kills. The Beavers outscored the hosts across the final 21 points played — including back-to-back aces from Murgia — but it was not enough as the Leopards scored on their second match point. Bakker recorded four kills in the set to tie for the most among any player from either team.

Murgia's aces tied for the match-high; she led the team in assists, with 15. Bakker recorded nine kills to lead the Beavers, coming just one shy of tying for the match-high. Rosario followed with seven while Li had five and Shen connected for four. Three other players recorded one or more kills. Sophomore libero Celine Wu (Potomoc, Md. / Montgomery Blair) played a critical role in the back row, coming up with a match-high 14 digs.

The squad will not have much time to rest and recover as they return to action on Saturday, Sep. 28 at 2 p.m. for the Beavers' conference home opener against the University of Redlands. Come cheer on Caltech in person at Braun Gymnasium; watch the match and follow along online at GoCaltech.com/coverage.

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