Kendra Huff

Athenas Battle to 4 Game Win Over Rival Sagehens

CMS outlasted the Sagenhens from Pomona-Pitzer Friday night in the first battle of the year between the cross-campus rivals. The outcome was certainly not predictable as CMS fell behind 1-8 in game 1 before falling into pace offensively, tying the game at 12 and matching the Hens point for point for the rest of the game. The Athenas narrowly won game 1 when a controversial call at 33-32 gave CMS the decisive point. Game 2 was all Pomona-Pitzer as the Hens held CMS to .041 hitting percentage. Despite strong blocking and a good defensive effort, CMS made too many hitting errors and gave away the game 23-30 before rallying back in game 3 behind the play of freshman outside hitter, Kendra Huff (CMC, Downey CA) who finished the evening with 19 kills and 23 digs. Fellow outside hitter, Lindsay Hull (Sr. CMC, Phoenix AZ) also played well in that game, picking up several of her eventual 15 kills and 22 digs. The Hens refused to back down and regained the serve to put them within 1, but a missed serve at 32-33 cost them the game and the Athenas pulled ahead in the match 2-1. Game 4 looked in the control of CMS, who went ahead 12-5 before key hitting errors allowed the Hens a 6 point run to nearly tie the game. Despite Pomona-Pitzer's strong effort, the prior game's momentum seemed to fuel CMS and a breakdown in the Hen's serve receive ultimately put the Athenas ahead for the match win, 30-25. Junior libero Greer Donley (CMC, Leawood KS) was tremendous defensively with a season high 34 digs. Setter Alex Harrison (Jr. Tucson AZ) led both teams wtih 57 assists and also notched 10 digs. Sarah Amos led Pomona-Pitzer with 19 kills, most off of setter, Erin Saliba. The win puts the Athenas' SCIAC record at 2-0 while Pomona-Pitzer falls to 1-1. CMS will head to Thousand Oaks,, CA Tuesday evening to face Cal Lutheran University at the Gilbert Sports Center. Match time is 7:30 pm