SAN DIEGO, CA – The SBCC women's volleyball team advanced to its first SoCal Regional Finals under head coach Kat Niksto with a thrilling five-set win at No. 3 ranked San Diego Mesa, 17-25, 26-24, 25-18, 10-25, 15-13.
The Vaqueros will head into Saturday's final with a 16-10 record and face Orange Coast at 5:00 p.m.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The two sides traded blows over the first four sets, answering each other's runs with neither team ever being able to take complete control of the match. After the SD Mesa (23-4) won the opening set 25-17, SBCC turned the tables by squeaking out a 26-24 second set win and enjoying its largest win of seven points, 25-18 in the third.
"The momentum was all over the place," Niksto said. "SD controlled the pace of the game in set one with us unable to find our passing and attacking groove. However, we bounced back and stole a close set two with improved serving and blocking."
Winners in 11 of their previous 12, the Olympians answered the call with a blowout 25-10 fourth set win. it all came down to the decisive fifth.
"We had our momentum ripped out in a forgettable 4th set where we couldn't pass a ball and get any solid attacks working," said Niksto. "I'm so extremely proud of our fight in set five however. We started it down, then lost a player to an ankle injury, but we never gave up and our serving and never-give-up defense brought us back into the game point-by-point."
After tying it up at 13, the Vaqueros closed things out strong to win it 15-13.
There were a number of excellent SBCC performances, as opposite Caroline McCarty led the team with 14 kills and four blocks to go along with nine digs. Fellow outside hitter Ava Guenther was second with 11 kills and provided two huge, momentum-changing blocks.
Emma Crabbe and Mikayla Butzke shared the setting duties with 26 and 12 assists, respectively, each bringing their strengths to the court when called upon. The Vaqueros' resilient defense was led by libero Jacelin McKie's 18 digs, also receiving important contributions from Celia Espnioza (8 digs), Gabby Russell (6) and Jordyn Anderson.
"It really was a true team win," Niksto continued. "I can't emphasize enough how much heart and soul this team has and how one player will step up when another is struggling. We look forward to facing No. 5 Orange Coast on Saturday."
*Please Note – Tickets for the match at Orange Coast can only be purchased through this link. There will be no purchases at the door. The match will be live streamed here.
