Bearcats Fall to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 3-0 at Cal Lu Fornia Invitational

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Claremont-Mudd-Scripps improved to 6-1 on the season with a 3-0 victory over Willamette University at the Ca Lu Fornia Invitational on Friday, Sept. 11 at California Lutheran University. CMS won the match, 25-14, 25-18, 25-20. Willamette's record evened out at 3-3 with the loss, including 1-1 in the tournament.

Sarah Fincher (Sr., OH, Reno, NV/Bishop Manogue HS/Southwest Baptist Univ.) led the Bearcats with eight kills. She also earned two block solos and two block assists. Kaylen Higa (Fr., DS/LIB, Mililani, HI/Punahou School) supplied a team-high 14 digs.

Lindsey Compton (Sr., OH/S, Portola, CA/Portola HS/Univ. of Hartford) added 11 digs and 11 assists for Willamette. Emma Liband (Fr., MH, Sandpoint, ID/Sandpoint HS) finished the match with four kills, two block solos and a pair of block assists.

Nicole Kerkhof topped CMS with 17 kills and a .389 hitting percentage. She also contributed 12 digs. Crystal Andrson added nine kills, while Shelbi Stein finished with eight kills. Mikena Werner recorde da team-high 17 digs, while Clara Madsen matched Kerkhof with 12 digs.

The Athenas registered 50 kills, with Tanner Hoke earning 24 assists and Madsen providing 19 assists. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps hit .262 for the match, while limiting WU to a .082 hitting percentage.

Willamette will play two its final two matches of the Cal Lu Fornia Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 12. The Bearcats will battle Whittier College at 2 p.m. (PDT) and will take on California Lutheran at 6 p.m. (PDT).