Division II Lee Proves Too Much In Volleyball Sweep

ATLANTA, Ga. – The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's volleyball team wrapped up their trip to Atlanta on Saturday morning with a match against Division II, Lee University. Despite a pair of extremely close sets, the Lady Flames swept the Athenas 3-0 (25-22, 25-13, 25-23).

Margaux Arntson (CMC) led the way for CMS with nine kills, while Crystal Anderson (CMC) was right on her heels with eight of her own. Defensively Mikena Werner (SC) finished with 23 digs while Phoebe Madsen (CMC) chimed in with 16 digs and 12 assists for the double-double.

Momentum in the opening set swung between the two sides throughout the game. The Athenas looked to have seized control when they went on a 6-1 run to turn a 16-13 deficit into a 19-17 lead. A timeout for Lee allowed the Lady Flames to regroup and rattle off the next five points to take the lead right back. Even with late kills from Crystal Anderson and Shelbi Stein (CMC), Lee was able to pull out the set by a score of 25-22.

In the second set, the Athenas really never found their rhythm. Lee jumped out to an early 10-5 lead and never looked back in the set, eventually taking the game 25-13.

Late in the third set, the Athenas trailed 21-17, but an attack error from Lee sparked a six-point run for CMS. On the run, Arntson connected for consecutive kills and Anderson added another kill two points later to help CMS take a 23-21 lead. Unfortunately, the Athenas could not close out the set and Lee won the final four-points to top CMS 25-23 in the set and 3-0 in the match.

The match with Lee wraps up the Emory National Classic. Over the two day, the Athenas went 1-2 in the tournament against a pair of top-10 Division III teams and Division II Lee. For their play in the tournament, Mikena Werner and Clara Madsen were named to the All-Tournament team.

The Athenas will open SCIAC play later this even with a match against CalTech at 6:00 p.m.