By Jimmy Friery
VENTURA, CA – The Santa Barbara City College Beach Volleyball team (10-2) finished 2nd in the WSC after ending the regular season with 2 wins over Moorpark and Cuesta on Friday.
"We are excited about taking 2nd in conference this year and hope to continue our team play into regionals," head coach Ariana Garner said.
After suffering their first and only loss of the year to Moorpark's 1s two weeks prior, Olivia Medina and Ashley Rossi won a close 3-setter in the rematch. Both of the first 2 sets were decided by 3 points or less, but the Vaqs pulled away in the third, winning 15-8. Later, against Cuesta, they coasted to a 21-7, 21-10 victory.
2s team Alexis Zevenbergen and Nevaeh Tillet had a similar day. A 21-14, 15-21 first two sets brought them to a third, which began tied 9-9. From there, a 5-0 run all but sealed the match, another 3-set victory over Moorpark. They would then cruise against Cuesta in 2 sets.
Carolina Koceman and Charlotte Wilson had a dominate day on the 3s court. In 4 quick sets, they beat Moorpark 21-8, 21-10 before beating Cuesta 21-12, 21-13.
"We took care of business today," Wilson said. "I felt like our serving really helped us score a lot of points in the wind."
Carly Hanna and Celia Espinoza played a similarly competitive opening match against Moorpark to Medina/Rossi and Zevenbergen/Tillet. After the first two sets mirrored each other at 21-18, 18-21, they fell in the third 11-15. In the second match against Cuesta, though, an easy 2-set win gave them a 1-1 day.
On the 5s court, Jillian Zimmerman and Vanessa Cabeza emphasized the Vaqueros depth, winning both matches in 2 sets. The closest of those sets was the 21-14 first against Moorpark, after which they won 21-9, 21-10, and 21-8.
"We have a week to prepare for our pairs conference tournament and hope to see all of our teams take those top 8 spots in pairs regionals," Garner concluded.
Like Garner mentioned, the Vaqueros travel to Santa Monica for the WSC Pairs tournament beginning on Friday.
Match 1 vs. Moorpark (4-1 W):
1s: Olivia Medina/Ashley Rossi (SBCC) def. Dakoske/Hazelton (MC) 21-19, 18-21, 15-8
2s: Alexis Zevenbergen/Nevaeh Tillet (SBCC) def. Thomas/Olswang (MC) 21-14, 15-21, 15-11
3s: Carolina Koceman/Charlotte Wilson (SBCC) def. Montana/Torrero (MC) 21-8, 21-10
4s: Morehead/Tayco (MC) def. Carly Hanna/Celia Espinoza (SBCC) 18-21, 21-18, 15-11
5s: Jillian Zimmerman/Vanessa Cabeza (SBCC) def. Schirado/Robinson (MC) 21-14, 21-9
Match 2 vs. Cuesta (5-0 W):
1s: Olivia Medina/Ashley Rossi (SBCC) def. Woodside/Freeman (CUE) 21-7, 21-10
2s: Alexis Zevenbergen/Nevaeh Tillet (SBCC) def. Waltz/Vannest (CUE) 21-12, 21-14
3s: Carolina Koceman/Charlotte Wilson (SBCC) def. Lo Jocono/Sprouse (CUE) 21-12, 21-13
4s: Carly Hanna/Celia Espinoza (SBCC) def. Leary/Campbell (CUE) 21-8, 21-12
5s: Jillian Zimmerman/Vanessa Cabeza (SBCC) def. Omega/Randall (CUE) 21-10, 21-8
