Sarah Schmoker had three of her match-high 15 kills late in the fifth set as Colorado College overcame an 8-5 deficit to defeat California Lutheran University 25-22, 14-25, 25-22, 23-25, 15-10 on Friday night.
The top-seeded Tigers advance to Saturday’s regional championship match and will face the University of La Verne, which defeated host University of Redlands 25-21, 25-16, 21-25, 23-25, 15-12. CC is 0-4 lifetime against the Leopards in the NCAA Tournament.
Emily Perkins recorded her 15th double-double of the season with 14 kills and a career-high 27 digs. Perkins finished the match with 413 career digs and became just the third player in school history and the first middle hitter to record more than 400 kills and 400 digs in a single season.
Laura Goldsmith had 26 digs for her third consecutive match with 21 or more. She also tied her season high with five service aces and added six kills.
Amy Schornack had 46 assists and a season-high 23 digs.
Colorado College improved to 34-4 overall and 3-0 in five-set matches. The Regals finished the season with a 21-12 record.
Rachel Smith had 13 kills and 23 digs to pace CLU. Megan Thorpe also posted a double-double with 12 kills and 23 digs.
Tonight’s victory marked the first time the Tigers won a tournament match in consecutive seasons since defeating Eastern Connecticut State University in 1989 and Greensboro College in 1990.
Colorado College now has won three consecutive five-set matches in the NCAA Tournament and improved to 3-4 while going the distance in postseason play. Last year, the Tigers came from behind to defeat Christopher Newport University in five sets during the first round.
CC defeated Cal Lutheran 15-9, 14-16, 8-15, 15-8, 15-6 in 1999 for its first five-set victory in the postseason.