CLAREMONT — Dana Michels had a career-high 27 kills, freshman Tiareh Cruz came up clutch as Oxy's setter and the Occidental College women's volleyball team beat Pomona-Pitzer in five sets on Saturday.

Oxy's entire team had to step up, with many of them playing through injuries, especially after falling behind 2-1 after Game 3.

After winning Game 1, the Tigers surrendered a 24-22 lead in the second game, squandered a four-point lead in Game 3 to lose the set 25-20 and looked to have lost all momentum.

But in Game 4 Oxy jumped out and held on to an early 10-5 lead and took advantage of seven Pomona-Pitzer attack errors in the final set to pull out the victory.

"The bottom line is when we were down at the end of Game 3 we could have crumbled, but these players fought tooth and nail to not only stay in the match, but steal it back and come out on top," Occidental coach Heather Collins said.

Michels, who is leading Oxy (9-4, 3-2 SCIAC) in kills this season, hit .292 and added 16 digs and three block assists.

"Dana was a big threat at both the service line and at the net, aggressively attacking the line at key points," said Collins.

Cruz had 51 assists, filling in for regular starter Jessie Altman and backup setter Sarah Beene who both missed the game with injuries.

"Tiareh stepped up without fear and did a great job," Collins said. "She moved the offense around and pushed her team when they needed a pick up."

Alyssa Mort added 15 kills, Stephanie Gann had nine to go along with four block assists and Madyson Cassidy had 36 digs.

Oxy returns to the court next Friday, hosting Claremont-Mudd-Scripps at Rush Gymnasium at 7 p.m.

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