Vaqueros Continue Solid Start with Sweep of Riverside

By Jimmy Friery

SANTA BARBARA, CA – The Santa Barbara City College Beach Volleyball team continued their strong start to the season, sweeping Riverside before falling to NAIA Westcliff on Friday morning.

"After a long and hard week of training our girls came out with tired legs Friday, but ready to play," head coach Ariana Garner said. "Although we were not perfect on the day, we learned a lot as a unit and how to overcome obstacles when we are physically exhausted."

Beginning against Westcliff, the Vaqueros had a tough task against the #2 ranked NAIA program. Olivia Medina and Ashley Rossi had no problem, though, continuing their perfect start to the season in a 21-12, 21-14 win.

In the 2s spot, Gabby Russell and Alexis Zevenbergen fell in 2 sets, tying the matchup at 1-1.

Charlotte Wilson and Carolina Koceman had the swing match as the 3s, and they came up clutch to give the Vaqueros the lead. They won in 2 very close sets, 21-19, 21-18.

Nevaeh Tillet and Vanessa Cabeza were the 4s pair, but lost in 2 sets to force a decisive 5s matchup.

Celia Espinoza and Carly Hanna fought valiantly, losing a close first set and succumbing in the second. The loss would be the Vaqueros' first of the season, albeit against a 4-year NAIA opponent.

SBCC turned the page quickly though, taking care of Riverside in dominating fashion, winning all 5 matchups. All 5 pairs won in 2 sets, as well, with the closest set being 21-17.

The win brings the Vaqueros to 5-1—5-0 against 3C2A opponents—with one more weekend of matchups before conference play begins.

"We look forward to closing out our preseason this next Friday at home against Mt. SAC and Mt. San Jacinto colleges," Garner said.

The Vaqueros host Mt. San Jacinto at 10:00 AM before Mt. San Antonio at 12:00 noon.

Game 1 vs. Westcliff (3-2 L):

1s: Olivia Medina/Ashley Rossi (SBCC) def. Comer/Scheidle (Westcliff) 21-12, 21-14
2s: Galassi/Brogan (Westcliff) def. Gabby Russell/Alexis Zevenbergen (SBCC) 21-15, 21-4
3s: Charlotte Wilson/Carolina Koceman (SBCC) def. Himstreet/Duchaine (Westcliff) 21-19, 21-18
4s: Web/Johnson (Westcliff) def. Nevaeh Tillet/Vanessa Cabeza (SBCC) 21-16, 21-14
5s: Swanson/Beck (Westcliff) def. Celia Espinoza/Carly Hanna (SBCC) 21-17, 21-12

Game 2 vs Riverside (5-0 W):

1s: Olivia Medina/Ashley Rossi (SBCC) def. Bergen/Elias (RCC) 21-10, 21-12
2s: Gabby Russell/Alexis Zevenbergen (SBCC) def. Cottom/Peay (RCC) 21-14, 21-13
3s: Charlotte Wilson/Carolina Koceman (SBCC) def. Torres/Agular (RCC) 21-14, 21-12
4s: Nevaeh Tillet/Vanessa Cabeza (SBCC) def. Juarez/Oaks (RCC) 21-17, 21-16
5s: Celia Espinoza/Carly Hanna (SBCC) def. Gibson/Moore (RCC) 21-11, 21-13