Vaqueros Find Spark in Reverse Sweep, Sweep at Cuesta Quad
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA - The Santa Barbara City College Women's Volleyball team won both of their matches at the Cuesta Quad tournament on Saturday, improving to 5-7 on the season and snapping a 5-match losing streak.
Down 2 sets to none in game one, the Vaqueros found a spark and "reverse swept" Hartnell. That momentum carried over into game two as SBCC won 6 sets in a row, sweeping Monterey Peninsula.
Against Hartnell, the Vaqueros lost the first two sets 19-25 and 18-25. On the brink of getting swept, they completely reversed their fortune, winning the third set dominantly 25-11. The fourth set was nearly as lopsided, with Santa Barbara winning 25-16 and forcing another decisive fifth set, their second in as many matches. The previous 5-setter the day before was the Vaqueros' first of the season.
"I give credit to middles Katie McArthur and Rylee Omiotek," head coach Kat Niksto said, "for both coming off the bench and making the most of their playing opportunity and helping drive the team towards a comeback."
The fifth set was as competitive as it gets; both teams were as deadlocked as they could be--tied 15-15. Santa Barbara then came through in the clutch, winning the last two points and the set 17-15.
"Also, [I credit] the steady play of Heidi Collins," Niksto said, "who mid-match switched from the right side to the outside and was an offensive force to be reckoned with."
That she was, leading the team in kills for the second consecutive match, this time with 14. Evan Ybarra also offered 10.
Natalie Lercari-Sullivan had her second consecutive 25-assist game, while Sophie Ward dished 18 of her own. Gabby Russell was incredible defensively with 26 digs.
Riding the wave of excitement from the game one win, SBCC rolled through Monterey Peninsula in a 3-set sweep. This one was all Vaqueros from the start, with a final score of 25-16, 25-14, 25-16.
"Setters Natalie Lercari-Sullivan and Sophie Ward shared the setting duties all day and did a good job of getting all of their hitters involved," Niksto said. Lercari-Sullivan had 15 assists against Monterey Peninsula, and Ward had 13.
"Nevaeh Tillet also had a well-rounded day serving well, playing solid defense, and mixing up her attack offensively," Niksto concluded. Tillet was second on the team in digs with 10, and fourth in kills with 3.
Gabby Russell once again led the team in digs with 14. Heidi Collins once again led the team in kills with 7, while Chaya Clemons had 6 and Katie McArthur had 5.
Winners of 6 sets in a row and now a 2-match win streak, the Vaqueros hope to continue the momentum Wednesday at Santa Monica for their first conference matchup of the year. SBCC will be back home on Friday against Bakersfield at 6:00 PM.