LOS ANGELES, Calif. (September 28, 2007) - For the third time in as many matches the Tigers walked away victorious. Tonight's match-up with Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference foe Whittier was a bit more competitive and went into four games, nearly extending to a fifth, at Rush Gymnasium tonight.

Many Oxy fans filled the bleachers to witness the first SCIAC home match of the season. The crowd saw two evenly matched teams on the court, which provided numerous rallies that brought excitement to the gym.

Oxy took the first two games 30-23 and 30-25 respectively before the Poets outscored the Tigers 30-27 in the third game. Occidental rebounded with confidence taking an early 6-0 lead before Whittier got on the board. The teams battled throughout as the Tigers walked away with a 30-24 win in the final set.

Oxy freshman Kathryn Bockman and Whittier senior transfer Shanell McMillen recorded 10 kills apiece for her respective team to lead all players. Emily Wagner and Sonia Huizar each tallied eight for the Tigers on the night.

Huizar, a senior outside hitter from Houston, Texas, led all players with 23 digs and added five service aces.

Jaime Nikami recorded a double-double with 27 assists and 14 digs. Shannon Klebe contributed a 17 dig performance and Wagner added 12 digs for Oxy.

Whittier's senior setter Christa Rainville finished with 13 assists. McMillen also led all Poet players with 18 digs.

Occidental pulls their record to .500 with the win as they now hold a 4-4 overall mark and sit 2-1 in SCIAC play. Whittier drops to 1-9 on the season and remain winless at 0-4 in SCIAC play.

Oxy will be back at Rush Gym tomorrow night when they host the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Athenas for a match beginning at 6:00 p.m.