Los Angeles - The Pomona-Pitzer Volleyball team had a big comeback in the second set to turn the momentum and went on to capture a 3-2 win over Occidental in a SCIAC match on Saturday evening. 

With the win, Pomona-Pitzer improves to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in the SCIAC, after falling in five sets to Chapman on Friday night for their first loss of the season (after coming back from down 2-0). Occidental falls to 2-4 overall and 1-1 in the SCIAC, as set scores were 21-25, 26-24, 22-25, 25-23, 15-6 in the Sagehens favor. 

Freshman Sophie Janssen (pictured) had a team-high 15 kills, four of which came in the fifth set (along with a block). Junior Stephanie Sun was also in double figures with 10 kills. 

After falling in the first set, Pomona-Pitzer fell way behind at 18-10 in the second before storming back to tie the score 20-20. Occidental surged back in front 24-22, but the Sagehens fought off two set points on a kill from Julia Zwaal, and a service ace from Jessica Finn. Finn then followed with a second straight service ace for a 25-24 lead and then assisted Zwaal on the set-winning point to make the score 1-1.

Occidental took the third set for a 2-1 lead, but the Sagehens held on for a narrow 25-23 win in the fourth and then dominated the fifth, rattling off eight straight points for an 8-1 lead and then pushing the lead up to 13-2 before settling for a 15-6 win. Janssen had back-to-back kills followed by a block for three of those points to make the score 5-1. 

Finn finished with 46 assists to pace the Pomona-Pitzer offense and senior libero Michelle Schultz had 25 digs to lead the defense.   

"It's been a tough week with three matches on the road," said Head Coach Valerie Townsend. "I'm very pleased that we have that "never say die" attitude, but I hope we learn from our mistakes and stop making things so difficult for ourselves. We have really shown a lot of heart out there, battling to the better end, and it has truly been a team effort. It is nice to have some depth and players who can step on the court and raise the level."

Pomona-Pitzer is back in action on Tuesday for a home match against Chapman, beginning at 7:30 p.m.