Arntson, Dinovitz Lead Athenas Past Regals In Four-Set Thriller

Box Score

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's volleyball team extended it's winning streak to three after defeating the Cal Lutheran Regals on the road 3-1 (25-13, 17-25, 25-15, 25-21). As both sides tried to make adjustments to outplay each other, the Athenas ultimately prevailed thanks to their ability to limit the Regals' offense and generate plenty of free ball opportunities. The win over Cal Lutheran elevates the Athenas to the top of the SCIAC standings with a 5-1 conference record and 12-5 overall.

The Athenas outplayed the Regals on the offensive end, boasting a .217 hitting percentage to Cal Lutheran's .154. CMS also played with better execution, committing eight fewer errors than the Regals. 

Margaux Arntson (CMC) led the Athenas with 18 kills and a .417 hitting percentage while first year Regan Dinovitz (CMC) had 10 kills with a .444 hitting percentage and four total blocks. Clara Madsen (CMC) had a solid night below the net, creating 22 assists and two service aces, while Mikena Werner (CMC) had 24 digs. Sarah Tritschler (CMC) almost matched her season-high 20 digs, recording 19 in the night. 

CMS gained control early in the first set, going on an 8-0 run to take a 10-3 advantage. During the run, the Regals committed four errors. From there, the Athenas' offense continued to click as they finished the set with a .500 hitting percentage while limiting the Regals to .111. Arntson finished the set with a strong hit off a toss from Pheobe Madsen (CMC) to win it 25-13. 

The Regals shifted the match in their favor in the second set, limiting their mistakes and playing solid defense. After CMS took an early 5-1 lead, Cal Lutheran rallied back with six straight points, including two kills and a block from Amy McKee to lead 7-5. The two sides battled back and forth as the Regals' defense frustrated the Athenas to a .021 hitting percentage. With the set tied at 15 apiece, the Regals broke away with five straight points. Cal Lutheran's defense closed the set as an attack error from CMS and two blocks by Hope Stewart and Paris Dosch allowed Cal Lutheran to win the set 25-17, tying the match at 1-1. 

The Athenas took back the momentum in the third set, as they broke out with a 7-2 run after leading 5-4 to jump to a 12-6 lead. Trailing 16-9, the Regals had no answer for Dinovitz, as the first year scored three consecutive kills to put CMS ahead 19-9. Cal Lutheran struggled to close the gap as Arntson once again closed the match with a well-placed hit to secure the set 25-15. 

The fourth set started off as a tight affair as neither sides were able to pull a significant lead in the beginning. Jamie Smith sparked the Regals to a 5-2 run, assisting on three kills and delivering a service ace to put Cal Lutheran ahead 17-13. CMS responded as Shelbi Stein (CMC) and Isabelle Taylor (CMC) combined for three kills to bring the Athenas within one. After the Regals took a point back on a service error, the Athenas went on another 3-0 run, during which Dinovitz and Taylor posted two consecutive combined blocks. The two teams exchanged points, but with the game tied at 20 apiece, Arntson scored three consecutive kills to bring the Athenas two points away from sealing the match. After Arntson scored a kill to put CMS ahead 24-21, Melanie Moore (CMC) ended the match with a hit that was mishandled by the Regals. 

CMS will return home on Thursday to host University of Redlands at 7:00 p.m.