Vaqueros Claim Back-to-Back Sweeps at Cuesta Quad

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – The SBCC women's volleyball team went a perfect 6-for-6 in its sets at the Cuesta Quad on Wednesday, flying through Santa Monica 25-16, 25-11, 25-17 and Monterey Peninsula 25-18, 25-18, 25-14.

With sweeps in five of their last seven matches, the Vaqueros improve to 8-2, good for their best start since 2016.

SBCC vs. Santa Monica
In the first match of the day, SBCC posted a .250 team hitting percentage. Middles Karoline Ruiz (.571) and Paige Rudi (.500) led the way with a combined three blocks and were highly efficient on their way to five kills apiece.

Outside hitter Megan Harrington also tied for team-high honors with five kills, while Piper Ellbogn-Petersen finished with four on an efficient .500 hitting percentage.

Setter Emma Crabbe meanwhile posted 22 assists and was just shy of a double-double with nine digs. Libero Jacelin Mckie also had nine digs.

"Our middles dominated the match," said head coach Kat Niksto. "Emma did a nice job getting them the ball. Piper also had an efficient hitting night. It was a game in which every player on the roster got a bit of court time, and was a nice reminder of the strength and depth of our team."

Santa Barbara was one ace shy of a season-best with 11, as four different Vaqueros tallied more than one.

SBCC vs. Monterey Peninsula
Similar to match one, SBCC dominated with its serve in the final match of the day, setting a season-high with 15. Defensive specialist Jordyn Anderson had a Vaquero season-high of six.

With 36 aces over its last three contests, SBCC has now recorded double-digit aces in three straight matches for the first time since the start of the 2015 season.

"Our serving was dominant in this second match," Niksto said. "Jordyn started with three aces in a row and finished with six. As a team, we served 15 aces in the three sets. Lauren Holsted came in and played solid defense to boost the team, while Lily Krongold was a spark on the outside offensively."

Emma Crabbe notched her team-leading fifth double-double with 32 assists and 11 digs. She chipped in to SBCC's staggering ace total with one of her own, making it five straight matches with at least one. She also has at least one ace in nine of 10 outings this season for a team-leading 17 total.

Karoline Ruiz had a team-high seven kills, followed by Paige Rudi with six. Jacelin Mckie had a match-high 16 digs.

Next Up
The Vaqueros are back home this Friday for a 6:00 p.m. matchup with Glendale.