The University of La Verne women’s volleyball is two wins away from claiming another NCAA Division III national championship. Mya Ray registered a match-high 27 kills, and the Leopards once again demonstrated their prowess at the net with 15 block in their 25-19, 25-20, 13-25, 25-18 victory over W isconsin-Eau Claire in a quarterfinal match Wednesday night in Bloomington, Ill. La Verne advanced to the Division III semifinals for the first time since 2008, when the Leopards finished as national runner-up. No. 5-seeded La Verne (29-2) will face No. 8-seeded Berry (28-7) on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. PST. Berry knocked off top-seeded East Texas Baptist in another quarterfinal match Wednesday evening, handing the Tigers their first loss in 35 matches this year. The La Verne women’s volleyball program claimed the NCAA Division III national championship in 1982 and 2001. Ray, a 6-foot-2 senior outside hitter from Diamond Ranch High, entered Wednesday night’s quarterfinal match as the Division III kill leader and recently was chosen the Division III national player of the year by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. She got off to a quick start Wednesday registering eight kills in the opening set. No. 5-seeded Wisconsin Eau-Claire (30-4) was clinging to a 17-16 in the first set, but the Leopards won six consecutive points to take control. Ray delivered back-to-back kills and Wisconsin Eau-Claire had three attacking errors in that stretch. Ray added two more kills at the end to close out the frame. Zacky Coaston, a 5-foot-10 junior middle blocker from Etiwanda High, added five kills in that opening set for the Leopards. Coaston also led the way defensively at the net for the Leopards, tallying two solo blocks and five block assists during the match. Abigail Montana, a 6-foot junior middle blocker from Simi Valley High, finished Wednesday’s match with seven block assists. The teams were tied at 8 in the second set, but La Verne pieced together a 8-1 run to seize momentum. Ray registered two kills and added a pair of aces to help the Leopards take charge. Alanna Jones had a kill to cap the run and put La Verne ahead 16-9. Wisconsin-Eau Claire staved off three set points, but Lauren Gott delivered the kill that gave the Leopards a two-set advantage. La Verne looked for the sweep, but Wisconsin Eau-Claire used an 11-3 run to take control of the third set and extend the match. The fourth set was tight early, as neither team led by more than two points until La Verne rattled off four straight to go up 13-10. Ray had eight kills in the final frame, including the final three points for the Leopards. Coaston added four kills in the fourth set. Gott (Serrano High) finished with seven kills and a team-high 13 digs. Setters America Reynaga (Ganesha High) and Vanessa Marquez (Claremont HS) combined for 38 assists in the match. Keilani Mumolo (St. Lucy’s High) added 12 digs for La Verne. Abby Stanwood had 16 kills to lead the attack for Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Bailey Leeke recorded with 15 kills and 13 digs, while Mya Cinnamo added 13 kills for the Blugolds. Kaitlyn Erickson had a match-high 17 digs, while Alex Kiebel tallied 42 assists. Related Articles Anaheim to host 2027 Women’s World Volleyball Championships ...read more read less