Vaquero Women's Volleyball Downs Canyons in Four Sets

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The SBCC women's volleyball team remained hot on Friday night at the Sports Pavilion, defeating Canyons in four sets for its sixth consecutive win, 25-22, 25-12, 20-25, 25-21.

Now winners in 11 of their last 12, the Vaqueros improve to an outstanding 11-2 mark heading into Western State Conference play. Canyons meanwhile falls to 2-7 on the year.

Karoline Ruiz finished with five blocks, while fellow middle blocker Paige Rudi had the most efficient hitting night of any Vaquero with seven kills at a .364 clip.

Outside hitter Bella Johnson led the home side with 10 kills to go along with four digs and a pair of aces.

"It was a great team win tonight! Our middles led the game with strong attacking, and then Bella finished them off with her powerful right side attacking," said head coach Kat Niksto. "Setter Emma Crabbe had another nice night running the offense and spreading the ball around to our hitters. Caroline McCarty also had a solid offensive night. Libero Jacelin Mckie was close to perfect in serve receive."

Aside from her exceptional play in the serve receive game, Mckie led the Vaqueros with 17 digs. Crabbe was right behind her with 14 digs, also notching her sixth double-double of the year with a whopping 44 assists. Her 11 assists per set average was her highest of 2021.

Caroline McCarty and Piper Ellbogn-Petersen recorded nine kills each. Karoline Ruiz added six kills of her own.

The Vaqueros reached double-figures in the aces department for the sixth time this season. They were led by Mckie's four aces, which tied a season-high.

Up next for SBCC is its conference opener on next Wednesday, Sept. 29 at Cuesta College at 6:00 p.m.