LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Nov. 6, 2008) –  The powerful and talented California Lutheran University volleyball team came out firing and the young Tigers squad showed their nerves, falling 25-11 in the opening game, before rallying back to show the crowd a strong final two games of the season, despite being swept 3-0 (25-17, 25-18) by the # 15 Regals in the season finale.

In just two games Cal Lutheran senior outside hitter Summer Plante-Newman led all players with eight kills, which was one less than the entire Oxy team. Allie Brown recorded two kills in seven chances for the Tigers.

The Tigers had the blocking edge tonight, posting 5.0 total team blocks to the Regals' 4.0. Ashley Rosenbaum had two solo blocks while junior classmate Nyki Dedic came up with one solo block and a pair of block assists. Lisa Fukuzato had a match-high 13 digs while Kathryn Bockmon also added double figures with 10.

With 10 different Regals finishing with at least one kill, CLU hit a remarkable .357 clip in game one, accumulating 10 service aces overall. Senior Lindsey Benson led all players with 27 assists for the Regals.

CLU, which is ranked third in the West Region, improve to 24-6 overall with a 11-2 SCIAC record, good for second place to #3 La Verne (23-2, 14-0) who claimed their ninth consecutive SCIAC title in 2008.

The Tigers end their 2008 campaign with an 8-11 overall record, which was a two-win improvement (in less matches) than a year ago. Occidental also improved their SCIAC standing from a year ago, posting a 4-10 mark.

Occidental has begun rebuilding a once prominent program. The Tigers will returns all players in 2009 and look to add a talented freshman class to the court a year from now.