Volleyball ends rocky season with hope for the future
Photo courtesy of Bella Ortiz
The Panthers drew the curtains on their season after suffering a 3-0 loss against No. 2-ranked University of La Verne Leopards on Saturday, Nov. 8. The loss closed out a season that started with promise, but ultimately ended in a losing conference record.
In the sweep, the Panthers recorded an average hitting percentage of 0.135 with 33 total kills compared to the Leopards' .284 percentage and 45 kills. Ultimately, La Verne proved to be the better team in this match, allowing them to clinch the regular season Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) title. La Verne went on to make a run to the national championship of the NCAA DIII tournament, finishing runners-up.
The match was also senior night for the Panthers. Political science major Olivia Sampon, strategic and corporate communications major Emma Derksen, psychology major Olivia Harrison and public relations, advertising and entertainment marketing majors Brooke Leslie and Keira Sarni were honored during the ceremony.
“Being surrounded by my teammates, coaches, friends and a lot of family made the night really meaningful,” Sarni said. “There’s something powerful about looking around the gym and realizing how much support you’ve had over the years.”
Although the seniors closed out their collegiate careers with a loss, the Panthers fought for every point. The first set ended 25-17 with La Verne immediately dominating the court. During the second set, Chapman had its first and only lead of the match at 7-5 but eventually fell short 25-22. In the final set, the Panthers could not shut down La Verne’s offense or break through their defense, ultimately ending the set at 25-16.
In preparation for the match, the team prioritized adjusting their defense and offense to match La Verne’s. The Panthers had 50 digs, and junior business finance major Lia Ono leading with 16 — the most of any player in the match. Chapman also had two blocks compared to the Leopards' 10.
The Panthers finished with a 6-10 conference record, and missed the SCIAC playoffs for the third time in four seasons.
The Panthers took the time to reflect on their journey this season to improve for the next. The seniors waved their goodbyes and looked back on how much the program has given them.
“Playing volleyball at Chapman has shaped me into the person I am today,” Sarni said. “I’ve grown so much, not just as an athlete, but as a leader, a teammate and a friend.”
Despite the emotional night, a new chapter is in the works for next season. With a talented group returning, they’ll look to follow in their seniors’ footsteps.