Vaqueros Sweep LBCC Tri, Start 4-0

By Jimmy Friery

LONG BEACH, CA – The Santa Barbara City College Women's Beach Volleyball team won both of their matches at the Long Beach City College Tri tournament on Friday, beating Long Beach and Orange Coast.

The two wins give the Vaqueros a 4-0 start, their second consecutive year to achieve the feat.

Beginning the day against Long Beach, 1s pair Olivia Medina and Ashley Rossi were pushed to their first three-set match of the season. They would roll in the third set though, on the way to a 21-12, 16-21, 15-5 victory. Later against Orange Coast, it was business as usual for the pair, winning 21-16, 21-11.

In the 2s spot, Charlotte Wilson and Carolina Koceman came up a level from being last weekend's 3s pair. They faired well against Long Beach with a 21-19, 21-14 sweep. Against Orange Coast, the first set was inversed in a 19-21, 8-21 loss.

Alexis Zevenbergen and Gabby Russell won 4 sets out of 4 as the 3s pair, beating Long Beach 21-11, 21-16—sealing a team victory in the process—and Orange Coast 21-17, 21-19. The latter gave the Vaqueros a clutch 2-1 advantage.

4s pair Vanessa Cabeza and Nevaeh Tillet continued the Vaqueros' perfect start to the day, giving the team a 4-0 lead over Long Beach with a 21-16, 21-18 win. Against Orange Coast, they lost a tough 3-setter at 14-21, 21-19, 14-16.

"Our 4s Vanessa and Nevaeh played so steady," head coach Ariana Garner said. "Their ball placement was great, and they never gave up on a point. Although they lost a tight third set match to OCC after being down one set, it was so awesome to see those two battle."

In the 5s spot, Carly Hanna and Celia Espinoza lost a close one in an already-cliched matchup against Long Beach 21-15, 12-21, 13-15. Later, though, their matchup against Orange Coast would decide the outcome. Tied 2-2 team-wise, the pair won a tough first set in extra points 23-21. They lost set two 16-21, but won the decisive third set, cruising to a 15-8 victory and sealing victory for the Vaqueros in the process.

"They played two tough matches together. Their communication with one another set them apart from their opponents," Garner said proudly. "It came down to our 5s in the OCC match and Carly and Celia were able to turn it on. They passed and set with confidence and listened to their partner to find the open court.

"We look forward to two more great matches this upcoming Friday at home against Westcliff and Riverside," Garner concluded.

SBCC vs. Westcliff will be at 9:00 AM, with the Riverside match at 11:00 AM.

Match 1 vs. Long Beach (4-1 W):

1s: Olivia Medina/Ashley Rossi (SBCC) def. Vaielua/T. Allen (LBCC) 21-12, 16-21, 15-5
2s: Charlotte Wilson/Carolina Koceman (SBCC) def. Moncada/Curry (LBCC) 21-19, 21-14
3s: Alexis Zevenbergen/Gabby Russell (SBCC) def. Johnson/Tuliau (LBCC) 21-11, 21-16
4s: Nevaeh Tillet/Vanessa Cabeza (SBCC) def. Ramirez/Infante (LBCC) 21-16, 21-18
5s: Gagau/Iosua (LBCC) def. Celia Espinoza/Carly Hanna (SBCC) 15-21, 21-12, 15-13

Match 2 vs. Orange Coast (3-2 W):

1s: Olivia Medina/Ashley Rossi (SBCC) def. Packer/Utterback (OCC) 21-16, 21-11
2s: Hopkins/Mason (OCC) def. Charlotte Wilson/Carolina Koceman (SBCC) 21-19, 21-8
3s: Alexis Zevenbergen/Gabby Russell (SBCC) def. Winter/Johnston (OCC) 21-17, 21-19
4s: Wirtzer/Martinez (OCC) def. Nevaeh Tillet/Vanessa Cabeza (SBCC) 21-14, 19-21, 16-14
5s: Celia Espinoza/Carly Hanna (SBCC) def. Campbell/Ngo (OCC) 23-21, 16-21, 15-8