Fifth-Ranked CMS Volleyball Improves to 12-2 with Three-Set Sweep of Caltech

PASADENA, Calif. - The No. 5-ranked Claremont-Mudd-Scripps volleyball team won its second straight match in three sets, defeating Caltech 25-11, 25-19, 25-15 to improve to 12-2 overall and 3-0 in the SCIAC on Tuesday evening.

The Athenas entered Saturday's home match with Redlands with a 10-2 record, and with six of their 10 wins going a full five sets, compared to only one three-setter. After improving to 11-2 with a 3-0 win over the Bulldogs on Saturday, CMS was able to duplicate the feat with its second three-setter in a row. Sophomore outside hitter Lauren Widasky led CMS with 13 kills on the evening, while sophomore setter Jessica Lee had 20 assists, and junior libero Lina Aluzri had 14 digs.

The first set saw CMS jump out to a big lead early and coast to a 25-11 win. Sophomore outside hitter Lauren Widasky had four kills in the first set, while junior setter Phoebe Madsen had three, including the final one to finish off the first set, as well as her day's work as the Athenas went to their reserves for the second and third sets. 

The second set was much tighter as the Beavers put up a stern challenge against the defending national champions, taking a 10-9 lead after a 4-0 run. CMS responded with a 5-0 run to take the lead for good at 15-11, with sophomore Regan Dinovitz, seeing her first action of the season, and Widasky starting the run with consecutive kills. Caltech hung in and had back-to-back points to close to within 23-19, but the Athenas recorded the next two points for a 25-19 win and a 2-0 lead. 

The Beavers jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the third set, but Widasky had two straight kills to get the Athenas back even at 4-4. With CMS holding a narrow 12-10 lead, sophomore outside hitter Margot Mafro Spencer had three kills in a 5-0 run to stretch the lead to 17-10. 

CMS will be back in action on Friday when it entertains Occidental for a 7 p.m. match at Roberts Pavilion.