Photo Credit: Andre Doty
Posted: Aug 31, 2024
On Saturday 8/31 SBCC hosted a Tri with matches versus East Los Angeles College and Taft College. The Vaqueros went 2-0 on the day, with a 3-0 win over ELAC to open the day, and a 3-1 win versus Taft to conclude the day.
The morning match versus ELAC was a rematch of the first round playoff matchup from last season, and the result was the same with a Vaqueros win! It was another well run offensive game with the team hitting .384% as a team, this time led by the outstanding play of outside hitter Nevaeh Tillet. She had her first double double of the season with 13 kills, 0 errors on 20 attempts to hit .650%, while also collecting 10 digs. Coach Niksto said, "I thought this was one of our most complete games from start to finish. We have been working on getting a faster jump out of the gate, and I thought our match play from start to finish was very consistent." Libero Valeria Bellodas once again led the defensive effort with a team high 12 digs, as well as a team high 4 aces.
The afternoon matchup versus Taft was set to be the Vaqueros biggest test since their loss to Mt. SAC game on opening day. Taft came into the match undefeated, and with a reigning State Player of the Week from week 1. Unlike the ELAC match, the Vaqueros dropped the first set 20-25, before rebounding to win the next three sets 25-22, 25-18, 27-25. Coach Niksto said, "I am extremely proud of how the team fought back after dropping the first set! Our middles Grace Demmel (12 kills hitting .417%) and Katie McArthur(9 kills hitting .316%) really led the way offensively, along with opposite hitter Kaylin Cooney (10 kills). Credit also to our outside hitters and Libero Valeria Bellodas for working hard in serve receive and on defense to be able to set the middles so much." Valeria had another outstanding match with 22 digs and 3 aces - both to led the team. Natalie Lercari-Sullivan carried the setting load, with a team high 41 assists for the match, which along with her 14 digs provided her with her second double double of the young season.
Up next for the Vaqueros is another home hosted event - the SBCC Quad on Friday Sep 6th. Matches will be at 10am and 2pm versus MiraCosta and Irvine Valley.
