REDLANDS, Calif. - Colorado College, the West region No. 1 seed, advanced to the regional final with a thrilling 3-2 win over No. 5 seed Cal Lutheran in a regional semifinal. The Tigers won by scores of 25-22, 14-25, 25-22, 232-25, 15-10.
Sarah Schmoker had three of her match-high 15 kills late in the
fifth set as Colorado College overcame an 8-5 deficit to defeat
California Lutheran University 25-22, 14-25, 25-22, 23-25, 15-10 on
Friday night.
The top-seeded Tigers advance to Saturday’s regional
championship match and will face either the University of La Verne
or regional host University of Redlands at 7 p.m. PT.
Emily Perkins recorded her 15th double-double of the season with 14
kills and a career-high 27 digs. Perkins finished the match with
413 career digs and became just the third player in school history
and the first middle hitter to record more than 400 kills and 400
digs in a single season.
Laura Goldsmith had 26 digs for her third consecutive match with 21
or more. She also tied her season high with five service aces and
added six kills.
Amy Schornack had 46 assists and a season-high 23 digs.
Colorado College improved to 34-4 overall and 3-0 in five-set
matches. The Regals finished the season with a 21-12 record.
Rachel Smith had 13 kills and 23 digs to pace CLU. Megan Thorpe
also posted a double-double with 12 kills and 23 digs.
Tonight’s victory marked the first time the Tigers won a
tournament match in consecutive seasons since defeating Eastern
Connecticut State University in 1989 and Greensboro College in
1990.
Colorado College now has won three consecutive five-set matches in
the NCAA Tournament and improved to 3-4 while going the distance in
postseason play. Last year, the Tigers came from behind to defeat
Christopher Newport University in five sets during the first
round.
CC defeated Cal Lutheran 15-9, 14-16, 8-15, 15-8, 15-6 in 1999 for
its first five-set victory in the postseason.
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