Athenas Squish Banana Slugs in Straight-Set Victory

CLAREMONT, Calif. – For the second time in as many days the No. 8 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's volleyball team earned a 3-0 victory. After a sweep of Caltech on Friday night, CMS was back at it on Saturday afternoon earning a 3-0 (25-14, 25-7, 25-23) sweep over the UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs.

In the match, Crystal Anderson (CMC), Mariah Rigg (CMC), and Melanie Moore (CMC) all collected at least eight kills and held hitting percentages over .500. Anderson led the way with 11 kills while swinging at a .550 clip.

Mikena Werner (SC) collected a match-high 15 digs, while Clara Madsen (CMC) earned a double-double with 35 assists and 10 digs.

CMS made quick work of UC Santa Cruz in the opening set. The Athenas jumped out to an early 5-0 lead thanks to back-to-back kills from Rigg and three straight kills from Margaux Arntson (CMC). The Banana Slugs came back and pulled within two at 12-10, but CMS would rattle off five-straight points and take the opening set 25-14.

In the second set, the Athenas held a 12-7 lead before going on a 13-0 run with Clara Madsen serving to cap off the set 25-7.

It looked as if the Athenas had all but wrapped up the match when they took a commanding 22-12 lead late in the third set, but the Banana Slugs would not go down without a fight. With Rachel Sveiven serving, Santa Cruz scored 10-straight points to tie the set at 22-22. CMS regrouped with a timeout and won three of the final four points to claim the set 25-23. Kills from Anderson and Shelbi Stein (CMC) closed out the set and gave the Athenas the 3-0 sweep.

The win improves CMS to 17-5 on the season and drops UC Santa Cruz to 3-19 on the year. The Athenas will next take the court on Tuesday when they travel to La Verne to take on the Leopards at 7:00 p.m.