THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.  (Oct. 29, 2010) – Oxy fell for the third straight match, this time in straight sets at Cal Lutheran University, in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action.  With the win the #23 ranked Regals clinched the outright SCIAC title while Oxy still is holding onto second place in the standings.

The defense was the highlight of the night, as the Tigers fought hard to stay with the nationally ranked home squad, behind a match high 28 digs from freshman Madyson Cassidy. 

Offensively the Black and Orange struggled once again, with the score knotted at 19-19 in the first set, two hitting errors by Logan Boyer-Hayse sandwiched around another hitting error by Meghan Fruth gave Cal Lu a 22-19 lead and they were able to trade points with Oxy to lock up a 25-21 win.

Again the Tigers came out firing, up 6-1 before Cal Lu responded behind All American Allison Kerr, who had a match high 14 kills.  Kerr ignited the Regals, pushing them ahead 20-17, but Aly Fritz came up with a big kill down the middle to stem the tide.  Fruth went back to serve and ran off four straight points, pushing the Tigers ahead 22-20, but Cal Lu answered with five straight points as the offense misfired again for the Black and Orange.

Cal Lu led from start to finish in the third set, the Tigers made a late run, but were swept for only the third time all season.

Freshman Stephanie Gann tied Kerr with a match high 14 kills while Boyer-Hayse chipped in with 8 kills.

Oxy (23-6, 8-3) has sandwiched losses to nationally ranked squads (#9 Colorado College and #23 Cal Lutheran) around a disappointing five set loss to the University of La Verne on Tuesday night, but still hold a two game lead over third place CMS (7-5) and can clinch second place with a win tomorrow night at CMS.  First serve is scheduled for 6pm.