SBCC Dominates Third Set, Sweeps Cuesta in Conference Opener

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – In its conference opener at Cuesta College, the red-hot SBCC women's volleyball team continued to shine, sweeping the Cougars 25-22, 25-19, 25-9 for its seventh consecutive win.

With their seventh sweep in the month of September alone, the Vaqueros improve to 12-2 overall. Cuesta falls to 8-4.

"We showed the depth of our team tonight as we played down several players and still were able to complete the sweep," head coach Kat Niksto said. "We got off to a slow start in game one, but then Lily Krongold came in and was on fire. She led the team with six kills and added eight digs. Karoline Ruiz had another efficient night in the middle with five kills hitting .556%."

Fortunately for the 2021 Vaqueros, a "slow start" still leads to success, even against a team that had won five straight heading into Wednesday night.

After a close first set was decided by just three points, SBCC increased its distance in games two and three. The 25-9 win in set three was one of the most lopsided of the year for the Vaqueros, who held their opponent to single digits for the third time this year.

Right behind Krongold and Ruiz in the kills department with four apiece were Paige Rudi, Caroline McCarty, and even setter Emme Crabbe, who also finished with team-highs of 21 assists and two aces.

For the first time this season, the Vaqueros averaged over 20 digs per set as a team, posting 62 total digs (20.7 D/S). Their fleet-footed defense saw three different players reach double-digits, all of whom set new season-highs. They were led by Jordyn Anderson with 17 digs, followed by Lauren Holsted (14) and Piper Ellbogn-Petersen (12).

SBCC will look to make it eight straight wins when it returns home for tomorrow night's 6:00 p.m. matchup against LA Mission.