Vaqs Win 2 Matches v. Ranked Conference Opponents!

The Vaqs opened the week on the road Wednesday night with a big conference matchup v. the #9 state ranked Moorpark Raiders. The #16 ranked Vaqs pulled off the upset in 4 sets (23-25, 25-19, 25-22, 25-23). 

SBCC got off to a good start in set 1, but towards the middle of the set Moorpark battled back and the team traded points back and forth, with Moorpark just getting the edge in the final 2 points. Coach Niksto said, "We should have won that first set... but I think playing well, and with confidence, helped us realize that if we stayed focused throughout the entire match, we could pull out this win." The Vaqs indeed responded with their strongest set win of the match, dominating the 2nd set 25-19. It was the Vaqs' offense that really took off in the set, with the team hitting a collective .320 hitting percentage. Consistent play helped the Vaqs win two more close sets to pull off the win in a hostile away gym environment. 

 

Coach Niksto said, "I am so proud of how our team played throughout this entire match. Moorpark always has loud fans who taunt and heckle, and our team tuned them out and played some really great volleyball. Both our setters, Natalie Lercari-Sullivan and Brielle Smith did a good job of distributing the ball and spreading out our offense. The offense was set up by the great serve-receive passing and defense of Libero Valeria Bellodas and outside hitter Tana Long." Natalie and Brielle finished with 24 and 17 assists respectively, while Valeria and Tana had 16 and 14 digs apiece. The offense was led by outside hitter Bayley Paida (12 kills) and opposite hitter Kaylin Cooney (11 kills).

 

In the second big test of the week, the Vaqs hosted the #20 state ranked Ventura Pirates on Friday night. In another big rivalry match in the same week, emotions were high, the crowd was big, and the Vaqs delivered a sweep by the scores of 25-18, 25-22, 26-24. 

 

"That was such a gratifying win!" said Coach Niksto. "To be at home, in front of a big crowd, in a playoff like environment, I was so proud of how our team stepped up."

In the first set the Vaqs jumped out to an early lead, and played from ahead the entire set, cruising to the easiest set victory of the match.

 

Game 2 however began with the Pirates getting out to a 7-1 early lead with their strongest server at the back line. The Vaqs never gave up however, and continued to claw back a point here and another point there, trying to keep the game close. The game turned at 16-20, when after a Vaq timeout, the Pirates hit a ball out for a Vaquero point; however, on the play, a Vaquero player suffered an injury stopping the game for several minutes. Coach Niksto said, "It was painful for the entire team to see a teammate go down, but I told the team in a quick huddle before game play resumed, we have to win this game for her - she would want nothing more than everyone else to step up and close out this set for her!" The team did just that, they went on a scoring run to tie the game up 20-20, and never looked back, closing out the set 25-22.

 

Set 3 was another tight back and forth battle, the Vaqs once again found themselves down 16-20, before battling back to win in overtime points 26-24. 

"Our strong serving helped us claw our way back into set 2 and 3." said Coach Niksto whose team finished with 12 aces on the match. "So many different players stepped up in this game, which is the theme of how this team has played all season long. Brielle Smith set a fantastic match, stepping in to run the 5-1 offense. Carly Hanna came off the bench to provide a spark with her play at the net, and Neveah Tillet came into the game late and was just solid in her play all around. I continue to remind this team, we are so deep, and so solid, it's a different player seemingly each match to make a difference." Brielle finished the night with 27 assists and 3 aces, while Kaylin Cooney led the offense with 7 kills.

 

The Vaqs have a much appreciated bye on this upcoming Wednesday, and then will be home again on Friday, October 18th to host LA Pierce. The evening will be our "Dig Pink" Fundraising Night in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. All ticket proceeds (donations welcome as well), will go to the local Breast Cancer Resource Center.

 

Breast Cancer Resource Center of Santa Barbara (BCRC) is a community resource center that empowers women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer to advocate for themselves and make informed decisions regarding breast health. At the BCRC women are heard and find emotional support in actively navigating their cancer treatment and survivorship health. Breast Cancer Resource Center is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit under EIN 91-1790842. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable under the law.