WHITTIER, Calif. — Occidental College (2-3) faced two challenging opponents at the Whittier College Invitational, suffering defeats against Chapman University (5-1) and Whittier College (5-1) in straight sets.

In the match against Chapman, the first set began with the Panthers establishing early dominance, racing to a 5-0 lead before the Tigers called a timeout. A service ace from Elizabeth Hermosillo at 5-2 sparked a resurgence, and the Tigers managed to close the gap to 9-9 with a series of plays highlighted by Eliana Channell's block and kill. Despite a late push that saw the Tigers briefly take a 22-21 lead after a service ace by Sloane Shoop, the Panthers ultimately secured the set 25-23 following a timeout and a decisive block.

The second set began with Jasmine Shum securing a kill from a Lila Payne assist, giving the Tigers an early lead. However, the Panthers quickly reversed momentum with a 5-0 run, capped by two service aces from Shoop, prompting the Tigers to call a timeout at 5-1. Despite efforts from Shum, who added another kill later in the set, and a service ace from Payne at 19-8, the Panthers maintained control and closed the set with a 25-11 victory.

The third set began with the Tigers gaining an early advantage through Payne's kill off Shum's assist, setting the tone for a competitive contest. Despite the Panthers building a 7-2 lead, the Tigers responded with strategic plays, including Corinne Van Haeren's key kills and a service ace by Shoop, which narrowed the gap to 10-7. A late surge led by Kendall Taylor's service ace and Katelyn Cajigas' resilient blocking helped the Tigers draw even at 21-21, but the Panthers edged out a tense finish, taking the set 25-23 following a crucial block on Shum.

Occidental Top Performers against Chapman:  

Katelyn Cajigas  
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- 5 blocks  
- 4 kills  
- 6.5 points  

Eliana Channell  
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- 7 blocks  
- 3 kills  
- 9 points  

Lila Payne  
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- 2 kills on 2 attempts (1.000 hitting percentage)  
- 7 assists  
- 3 digs  

In the match against Whittier, the first set began with Whittier taking an early lead, but Occidental responded with a kill from Anna Curtis-Revelle and an attack error from the opposition to level the score. Despite some early back-and-forth, Whittier managed a three-point run, increasing their lead to 13-9, prompting a Tiger timeout. After the break, Occidental's Lila Payne and Jasmine Shum helped cut the deficit to just three, 19-16. After a Poet timeout, Whittier closed the frame on a 6-3 run.

The second set began with Whittier taking an early lead, but Oxy answered with a strong 5-0 rally, including a service ace from Curtis-Revelle, to tie the game at 5-5. Later in the set, the Tigers strung off a 6-2 run, aided by a Kendall Taylor ace to draw the set back even at 21. Sitting at 26 all, the Poets strung together two straight points to take the second set.

It was all Poets in the third as the Tigers mustered just eight points in the frame.

Occidental Top Performers against Whittier:  

Anna Curtis-Revelle  
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- six kills (.364 hitting percentage)  
- one service ace  
- seven points total  

Eliana Channell  
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- five kills  
- four block assists  
- eight points total  

Jasmine Shum  
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- seven kills (.333 hitting percentage)  
- four block assists  
- nine points total  

Lila Payne  
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- 11 assists  
- six digs  

The Tigers are back in action on Wednesday, September 10, taking on Westcliff at home. Game time is set for 6 p.m.