SBCC Prevails in Five-Set Thriller at Fullerton

FULLERTON, Calif. – The No. 15 SBCC women's volleyball team earned its fourth straight win away from home Wednesday at No. 22 Fullerton, coming back to defeat the Hornets in five sets, 23-25, 25-21, 22-25, 26-24, 15-12.

With their sixth win in their last seven outings, the Vaqueros improved to 6-2 overall while dropping Fullerton to 6-3.

"Tonight's match was a back-and-forth battle in a very loud gym that had a playoff-like atmosphere," said head coach Kat Niksto. "I'm so proud of the team for responding. Every time they were pushed down, they pushed back harder."

Season-bests filled up the stat sheet in SBCC's second come-from-behind win of the year, as the Vaqueros set new team-highs in kills (62), assists (60) and digs (92). Opposite Caroline McCarty enjoyed her highest kill total of the year with 14 to go along with two blocks.

Middle blocker Paige Rudi set a personal-best with 11 kills, also doing her part defensively with three digs and a block. Outside hitters Bella Johnson (11 kills, 2 aces) and Piper Ellbogn-Petersen (10 kills, 11 digs) also reached double-figures on the attack. Ellbogn-Petersen becomes the first Vaquero this season to record a double-double with kills.

This marks the first time four different Vaqueros reached double-digit kills this year.

With 92 digs, SBCC's defense reached its highest total since posting 116 in a win over Victor Valley back on Oct. 4, 2017. Setter Emma Crabbe (27 digs) and libero Jacelin McKie (22 digs) became the first Vaquero duo to surpass 20 digs together since that same match.

Consistency has been the story for McKie, who now has at least 20 digs in back-to-back matches and at least 15 digs in seven of eight outings this year. She also finished with a season-best four aces.

Defensive specialist Jordyn Anderson ended her day with 10 digs for the second time this season.

"Once again our defense shone with some crazy long rallies," Niksto said, highlighting the performances of Crabbe and McKie. "Our middles Karoline Ruiz and Paige Rudi dominated the fourth set, helping us climb back into the battle, and right side Bella Johnson was on fire in the fifth set to help us close out the match. Overall a great team effort to beat a very good ranked team on the road."

SBCC will be on the road again next Wednesday, Sept. 15 for two matches at the Cuesta Quad.