Redlands, Calif. – The Pomona-Pitzer Volleyball team took a four-set win from Redlands on Tuesday evening 25-20, 25-16, 19-25, 25-17 to set up a battle for second place with Chapman on Friday.

With the win, the Sagehens improve to 18-7 overall and 10-4 in the SCIAC with two conference matches left, including a battle for second place with Chapman on Friday at home (7:30 p.m.) and the regular season finale at Caltech on Saturday.

Junior outside hitter Allie Frappier, who was named the AVCA Division III National Player of the Week earlier on Tuesday, had a relatively quiet day but led the Sagehens with 23 kills, including 11 in the fourth set. Instead, Pomona-Pitzer showed more balance, as junior Ellen Yamasaki (pictured) had 11 kills in 30 attempts, and sophomore Michelle Schultz added 10 in 27.

Pomona-Pitzer was slow to find its rhythm in each of the first three sets, before going on big scoring runs. Redlands jumped out to a 7-3 lead in the opening set, but the Sagehens responded with a 10-1 run to take the momentum at 13-8. The Bulldogs clawed back within 15-14, but Frappier had two kills in a 3-0 run that pushed the lead back to 18-14 and added the final kill to end the set 25-20.

The second set again saw the Bulldogs take the early lead, opening up with a 3-0 run and leading 9-6 before an 8-0 run on Frappier's serve (including three aces) gave Pomona-Pitzer control. The third set was similar as Redlands went ahead 15-8, but an 8-1 Sagehen run, capped off by back to back kills from Yamasaki, tied the score 16-16. However, the Bulldogs answered this time and pulled away for a 25-19 win to stay in it.

The fourth set was the first time that Pomona-Pitzer took the early lead, jumping ahead 9-4 behind four kills from Frappier. Redlands tried to creep back in, getting as close as 12-10, but Frappier had three kills in a 7-1 run that pushed the lead to 19-11 and put the contest out of reach.

Senior libero Beth Smilkstein contributed 22 digs, while Frappier and Schultz each added 16 to record double-doubles. Junior Dani Kritter had 22 assists and freshman Elizabeth Sun had 19.  

The Sagehens will host their final home match on Friday against Chapman, which will also serve as the program's Senior Day, with the program's two seniors, Smilkstein and defensive specialist Nicole Bauthier honored pregame.