SBCC won two of three matches on Saturday in the Mt. SAC Invitational women's volleyball tournament in Walnut.
The Vaqueros routed Victor Valley 25-3, 25-13, 25-9 in the morning match, then dropped a 3-1 decision to No. 15 Chaffey. The Panthers (13-1) won by scores of 25-11, 25-15, 26-28, 25-18.
Santa Barbara improved to 4-8 by sweeping Citrus 25-17, 25-19, 25-22.
The Vaqueros played four matches in less than 24 hours and earned three Ws.
SBCC 3, Victor Valley 0: Gabi Brewer had a double-double with 14 kills and 11 digs. She also hit .476 on 21 swings. Madi Mullins had eight kills while Jordan Falconer had six kills and five digs. Casey Crockett led in digs with 14.
"We had the clear size advantage again Victor Valley and we played a really solid and clean match," said coach Kat Niksto, whose team outhit the Rams .338 to minus .076. "We took care of the ball and didn't give them much of a chance to score."
No. 15 Chaffey 3, SBCC 1: The left-handed Brewer led the way again with 11 kills and four digs. Mullins had five kills and Crockett and Lauren Holsted dug 10 balls apiece. The Panthers won their 10th straight to improve to 13-1.
"We struggled to find consistency in our serve receive passing early in the match and that led to offensive struggles," said Niksto. "We had a technical game plan but just couldn't execute. We served our way back into the match in the third set and played really scrappy defense but couldn't maintain that level to continue the comeback in set 4."
SBCC 3, Citrus 0: Middle blocker Madi Mullins had a season-high 16 kills and hit .667 with no errors in 24 swings. Brewer added nine kills and six aces, giving her 34 kills in three matches. Maranda Newson had 24 assists and the Vaqueros hit a season-high .351.
"This was another match where we controlled the serve and pass game," Niksto stated. "I know my team is tired of hearing the same message over and over again, but it's true -- when we win the serve and pass battle, we win the game. We have such a diverse offense, that when we are in system we are hard to defend.
"Maranda Newson and Lauren Wold shared the setting responsibilities today and both did a nice job of finding the hot hitter and working hard every single point. Bella played really well all day, bouncing from outside hitter to libero. We are a better team when she is on the court.
"Madi hit really well in the middle and made some lights-out blocks. And Gabi served us back into the third set against Citrus. We had been down early, then came back to tie it at 16-all. She served eight straight points, including four aces in a row, to get us to 24-16."
The Vaqueros will open a four-match homestand on Wednesday at 6 p.m. when they host the Cal Lutheran JV in their final non-conference match.
