By Joseph Compagno

LOS ANGELES — It was a live-and-die by Claire Strohm kind of night, and the freshman hitter came through clutch for the Tigers, as they picked up arguably their most impressive win of the season against Whittier at Rush Gymnasium on Friday. The team won the first, third, and fifth sets by a combined margin of six points, and four of the five sets were determined in overtime.

Strohm couldn't be stopped, totaling 18 kills and 14 digs. Her final kill was a tip shot that gave Oxy a 16-14 win in Game 5.

Setters Tiareh Cruz and Sarah Beene were aggressive on the attack, combining for 11 kills, and Cassandra Guidace added 11 more of her own.

Amanda Herold anchored the Oxy defense with 17 digs.

Game-by-Game breakdown

Game 1 (26-24, Occidental): After a back and forth start, junior Sarah Beene had a handful of clutch dump shots towards the tail end of the set to give Oxy a 22-17 lead. Whittier bounced backed quickly after, scoring seven of the next nine points to even it up at 24-24. Then Strohm (seven kills and five digs in the set) and Olivia Rioseco recorded one kill apiece on the next two points to give Oxy the opening win of the match.

Game 2 (27-25, Whittier): Strohm tied the set at 12 with a screaming ace that ricocheted off the head of a Whittier player, and followed it up with a kill moments later. The two teams continued to trade points for the remainder of the set, until Whittier pulled away with the win in another overtime set. Cassandra Guidice recorded four kills in the set.

Game 3 (27-25 Occidental): Megan Olayinka knocked down a huge point midway through the set to bring Oxy within two, 15-17. Amanda Herold, Beene and Strohm all made big plays down the stretch to give the Tigers a 22-21 lead, their first of the set.  Tiareh Cruz notched a clutch ace just inside the line to go up 25-24, and the Tigers held off the Poets just long enough for another tight victory.

Game 4 (25-21 Whittier): Strohm continued her phenomenal night with a backhand dig from her knees to set Oxy on the right foot early in the match. However, errors from the Tigers' side midway through gave Whittier a 19-14 advantage. The Poets retained the lead for the remainder and evened the match at 2-2.

Game 5 (16-14 Occidental): Claire Strohm continued to make big plays down the stretch, and a key kill from Olayinka boosted the Tigers to a 16-14 win.