No. 7 Vaqueros Come Away With Five-Set Win at Rio Hondo

WHITTIER, Calif. – The SBCC women's volleyball team dominated in the first and fifth sets of a competitive match at Rio Hondo on Friday night, claiming its ninth straight win, 25-10, 24-26, 25-20, 25-27, 15-5.

It was the third time this year that the Vaqueros won multiple sets by 10 or more points, but the first time it didn't happen in a sweep. Santa Barbara is now 14-2 overall, while Rio Hondo falls to 5-10.

Middle blocker Paige Rudi had a huge night, leading the Vaqueros with 18 points. The Woodland, CA native had eight kills on an efficient .318 hitting percentage. However, she did the majority of her damage from the service line, where she tallied eight aces – two more than any other Vaquero so far this year.

That led to an SBCC season-high of 19 aces. The Vaqueros also had their second-highest dig total of the year with 83.

"It was Paige's birthday tonight and she celebrated by having a great game," head coach Kat Niksto said. "She dominated from the service line and provided a lot of big momentum kills when we needed them most."

Outside hitter Bella Johnson led the way with 10 kills. Karoline Ruiz and Caroline McCarty finished with nine kills each. Ruiz also had a team-high three blocks.

"Brenna Valenzuela stepped into the setting duties tonight and worked her butt off with 24 assists, three aces and five digs," Niksto said. "Our serving was our strongest skill of the night with 19 aces and only three errors."

On the defensive end, Jacelin McKie and Jordyn Anderson tallied 18 and 13 digs, respectively.

The Vaqueros return home next Wednesday, Oct. 13 for a conference match against Moorpark at 6:00 p.m. at the Sports Pavilion.