Vaqueros Begin Conference Play With Two Important Wins

By Jimmy Friery

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Santa Barbara City College Beach Volleyball team (8-4, 2-0) picked up two huge wins on Friday at East Beach, beating both Santa Monica and Ventura 4-1.

The teams all finished in the top three of the Western State Conference (WSC) last year, so they were important results—albeit very early in conference play—for the Vaqueros. Outside of a competitive lens, the program also celebrated Sophomore Day, so it was a good day all-around.

"Friday was a special day as we had the opportunity to celebrate our sophomores early for Sophomore Day," head coach Ariana Garner said. "Our freshmen did an incredible job honoring them and truly captured the many qualities that make our sophomores such great leaders, teammates, and friends. It was a really special moment and a great reflection of the strong bond within this team.

"On the volleyball side, the team also delivered with two exciting wins against strong programs," Garner continued. "After two challenging weeks of practice preparing for conference play, it was great to see the hard work pay off. I'm really proud of this group for staying the course and competing at a high level."

After Ventura beat Moorpark 3-2 to start the day, the Vaqueros were due up against Santa Monica. It was a bout of last year's WSC co-champions as both teams finished 11-1 in conference play—and both matches finished 3-2 in favor of the home team.

It could hardly have been a better start to WSC play for Santa Barbara. Maddie Papia and Abigail Stenz led the line to a 21-14, 21-16 win on court one. No. 4 pair Sophie Ward and Giulia Sophie Gentile had a similar result (21-15, 21-15), as did No. 5 pair Camryn Chapman and Stephanie Groswirt (21-14, 21-14).

The team win secured, Lina Husek and Tana Long—two of the team's three sophomore captains (along with Ward)—earned a gutsy fourth pairs win on court two, 22-20, 24-22. Madison Genasci and Kaylin Cooney nearly completed the sweep, but fell in a polarizing 21-13, 10-21, 15-13 match on court three.

Immediately following, against Ventura, Santa Barbara continued their momentum. Ward/Gentile (21-17, 21-18) won in straight sets again, as did Chapman/Groswirt (21-10, 21-10). Ward has not lost a single set across her eight matches so far this season.

No. 3 pair Genasci/Cooney got redemption via a 21-15, 21-19 victory. For good measure, No. 1 pair Papia/Stenz earned a 17-21, 21-13, 15-13 win, the team's fourth.

In the final match of the day, Santa Monica beat Moorpark 5-0.

Conference play continues on Friday, the 13th, at Cuesta. The Vaqueros play Moorpark at 11 a.m. and then Cuesta at 12 noon.

Match one: Santa Barbara def. Santa Monica 4-1

1s: Papia/Stenz (SBCC) def. Town/Lorin (SMC) 21-14, 21-16
2s: Husek/Long (SBCC) def. Moritz/Vander Veen (SMC) 22-20, 24-22
3s: Salvo/Whitlock (SMC) def. Genasci/Cooney (SBCC) 21-13, 10-21, 15-13
4s: Ward/Gentile (SBCC) def. Gamby/Garcia (SMC) 21-15, 21-15
5s: Chapman/Groswirt (SBCC) def. Cerrano/Taase (SMC) 21-14, 21-14

Match two: Santa Barbara def. Ventura 4-1

1s: Papia/Stenz (SBCC) def. Daniels/Barrios (VC) 17-21, 21-13, 15-13
2s: Alfar/Lishman (VC) def. Husek/Long (SBCC) 21-17, 21-11
3s: Genasci/Cooney (SBCC) def. Olson/Ramessar (VC) 21-15, 21-19
4s: Ward/Gentile (SBCC) def. Mierau/Boyso (VC) 21-17, 21-18
5s: Chapman/Groswirt (SBCC) def. Cahill/Torres (VC) 21-10, 21-10