Athenas Drop Conference Opener to Sagehens

The CMS Volleyball team dropped its conference season opener in a grueling 5 sets to Pomona-Pitzer Friday night in Ducey Gym (25-15, 21-25, 27-29, 25-22, 11-15). The Athenas were dominant in set 1, holding the Sagehens to just .029 hitting average but Pomona-Pitzer's serve receive improved in set 2 and fueled by the play of outside hitters, Sarah Amos and Jordan Hammond pulled ahead at 21-21 and won the set 25-21. Pomona-Pitzer pulled ahead to an early 7-2 lead in set 3, before the Athenas settled down and rallied back behind middle blockers Jamie Matusiak (Tucson, AZ) and Leanne Ringquist (Ben Lomond, CA) who scored 12 and 8 kills, respectively on the night. CMS found themselves in a 22-22 tie and the teams played point for point before the Hen's capitalized on CMS mistakes in extra points to close out 29-27.

Though the Hens led for much of set four, a serving run by sophomore Emily Hudson (So. Pasadena, CA) pulled the Athenas within a point, 18-19. A CMS block followed by 2 strong serves from libero Jessica Waggoner (Scottsdale, AZ) closed the set out in favor of CMS, 25-22, forcing a deciding game. The Sagehens controlled much of the fifth set, led by Eleanor Hughes and Hammond. Hitting .350 in the set, with no attacking errors, Pomona-Pitzer pulled ahead 8-6 at the switch. Junior outside hitter Allie Macy (Walnut, CA) responded and picked up 2 kills to help even the score at 10 apiece, but a CMS serving error changed the momentum and a strong kill by Hammond sealed the game for the Hen's, 15-11. CMS was led defensively by Waggoner who finished the night with 38 digs. Macy paced the offense with 22 kills and freshman setter Taylor Jones picked up 65 assists in the effort.