The Pomona-Pitzer women’s volleyball team played its last match Thursday, November 1 at Cal Lutheran, falling 17-30, 20-30, 20-30. The loss capped an eight-game losing streak for P-P, while it gave the Regals a chance to redeem themselves following consecutive losses at La Verne and Occidental.

P-P finished its season with a record of 3-20 overall (3-11 SCIAC), and placed seventh out of eight teams, ahead of only a Caltech team that did not win any games in conference. Cal Lutheran, on the other hand, finished second in the conference, and was 21-2 overall–its two late season losses ending a 26-game unbeaten streak, as well as its SCIAC championship and NCAA playoff hopes. (La Verne, with a record of 21-1–its only loss a forfeit to Cal Lutheran–won its second consecutive SCIAC crown.)

Sagehen players of note were Renee Faulkner ’03 and Vicenta Arrizon ’04, who had 10 and 9 kills, respectively. Jeannie Kenmotsu ’05 put up 16 assists to lead P-P, while, defensively, Arrizon’s 15 digs were a game-high.

These efforts were for naught, however, as the Regals–led by their two first team all-SCIAC players, Sally Jahraus ’03 and Kari Whitney ’02–could not miss a shot. Jahraus’s 8 kills tied for a team-high, and she added 9 digs as well; Britney Mount ’04 and second team all-SCIAC Jamie Arnold ’03 also had 8 kills. Whitney’s huge 20 assist total was a game-high.

Despite having none of its players named to either all-SCIAC team, P-P is looking forward to next season. Arrizon, Kenmotsu, and Faulkner are not the only ones who have proven themselves this season: Susan Caplow ’03 has provided strong leadership up front; Alysha Lascano ’05 is–along with Kenmotsu–one of the best young setters in the conference; and Elena Shih ’04 can serve vicious aces with her 20-feet-behind-the-line serves.

With some solid off-season training and a few needed additions from the class of 2006 (especially some 6-footers), this squad could take SCIAC by surprise next season. The groundwork has been laid, and it certainly cannot get much worse (unless, of course, you’re the Caltech Beavers).