Vaquero Women's Volleyball Falls to Bakersfield in Season-Opener

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The SBCC women's volleyball team opened its season Friday night at the Bakersfield Quad, falling to the Renegades in four sets, 25-22, 23-25, 25-18, 25-23.

"For our first match back in over a year and a half I thought we played hard, competitive volleyball," head coach Kat Niksto said. 

Opposite Caroline McCarty had a strong match, leading the team with 13 kills to go along with three blocks and a pair of aces. Middle Karoline Ruiz was a force in the middle with six kills to go along with a team-high four blocks.

Santa Barbara posted eight aces as a team, with three different Vaqueros tallying two aces.

"Bakersfield is a strong program and we knew we would have our hands full from the first serve," Niksto said. "We had moments of playing strong team volleyball, and we will work on making improvements and adjustments in a few areas for our matches tomorrow."

Leading the team in digs was libero Jacelin McKie with a Vaquero-best 16 scoops. Piper Ellbogn-Petersen also reached double-figures with 11 digs.

The Vaqueros are back in action Saturday with matches against College of the Sequoias (10:00 am) and Mt. San Antonio (2:00 pm).