LOS ANGELES — Claremont-M-S defeated the Tigers on Friday at Rush Gymnasium. Occidental recorded 37 kills and 63 digs, but CMS capitalized with 38 kills and nine service aces to secure the win.

Occidental initiated the first set with momentum, securing an early lead through a service ace by Lila Payne. Consistent offensive efforts by Corinne Van Haeren and Abby Werbel kept the score competitive, with the Tigers maintaining a slight edge at 6-3. Midway through the set, Ariana Carranza and Jasmine Shum contributed key kills, helping to extend the home team's lead to 13-8.

As the set progressed, CMS mounted a steady comeback. Brooke McKee's offensive performance narrowed the gap, and a series of attack errors by the Tigers allowed the visitors to level the score at 18-18. Despite a late rally with contributions from Anna Curtis-Revelle and Sloane Shoop, Occidental was unable to regain control. Claremont-M-S closed out the set with a series of decisive plays from McKee, ultimately securing a 25-21 victory.

The second set began with Occidental gaining an early edge with Carranza's kill and a service ace, quickly putting them ahead 2-0. However, Claremont-M-S responded with a series of points, taking advantage of a few attack errors to claim a 6-3 lead. The Tigers countered with a steady run, highlighted by kills from Shum and Curtis-Revelle, leveling the score at 7-7. 

Momentum shifted frequently as both teams exchanged points, with the Tigers pushing ahead 14-11 after a string of errors by the Athenas. Yet, Claremont-M-S capitalized on a couple of late Occidental errors and regained the lead at 19-18. Despite a strong effort from Van Haeren and Shoop, CMS finished the set on a decisive run, closing the set at 25-22. 

The third set began with Claremont-M-S quickly gaining an advantage, capitalizing on a block error by Carranza and a kill by Shae Delany to lead 2-0. Occidental responded with a kill from Carranza, narrowing the gap to 2-1. Despite a series of service errors from both teams, the Tigers kept pace, tying the score at 4-4 following an attack error by Claremont-M-S's McKee.

Momentum shifted as Claremont-M-S executed a series of service aces, increasing their lead to 13-7. The Tigers attempted to regain footing with kills by Van Haeren and Shoop, but Claremont-M-S maintained their lead with consistent offensive pressure.

In the later stages, the Tigers narrowed the gap with two successive kills by Shum, bringing the score to 24-18. However, CMS concluded the set with a kill by Phoebe Shorney, securing the set 25-18.

Occidental Top Performers  

Lila Payne  
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- 17 digs  
- 15 assists  
- one service ace  

Corinne Van Haeren  
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- nine kills  
- six digs  
- two block assists  

Sloane Shoop  
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- nine kills with a .350 hitting percentage  
- one block assist  

Ariana Carranza  
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- 13 digs  
- five kills  
- one service ace  

In their next game, the Tigers will travel to Thousand Oaks, California, to face California Lutheran University on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 6 p.m.