Gritty Vaqueros Getting Hot at Right Time, Open Conference Play 1-0

SYLMAR, CA – The Santa Barbara City College Women's Volleyball team pulled off a huge win Wednesday night, beating LA Mission on the road 3 sets to 1. They begin conference play now 1-0.

After hitting a rocky stretch earlier in the month that ended in a 5-match losing streak, the Vaqueros are getting hot at just the right time. SBCC has now won 4 of their last 5 heading into a crucial part of the season.

"It felt great to get our first conference win of the season!" head coach Kat Niksto said. "All our work up until now has been to hopefully play our best volleyball now during conference play."

It was not easy sledding for the Vaqueros, who opened the match losing the first set in extra time, 26-28, to a hyped-up LA Mission team.

However, despite being on the road, the Vaqueros admirably stayed focused and resilient going into set two. The second set was hardly a contest, as the Vaqueros offense caught fire and turned the match on its head, winning 25-13.

"It took us a little while to find our footing in the match," Niksto said, "but we kept improving as the match went on."

The third set was reminiscent of the first. Both teams were deadlocked at 25, and extra time was in the cards once again. SBCC stayed tough, winning the two most important points of the night and draining the energy out of the home gym. A 27-25 set win swung the tally in the Vaqueros' favor now, 2 sets to 1.

"[We] played our best volleyball in set four," Niksto said.

The Vaqueros built off the adrenaline in their set three victory, winning the fourth set emphatically 25-16, and the match. Carly Hanna went on a long serving run, including 3 aces, to help SBCC pull away in the set.

Heidi Collins was dominant offensively on the night, totaling a career high 18 kills on a blistering .680%.

Evan Ybarra also provided consistent offense from both the right and left side, finishing with 7 kills.

Gabby Russell continued her stellar season, having another solid night defensively with 17 digs.

Once again, it was a solid win for the Vaqueros who improved to 7-8 overall, but more importantly, 1-0 in conference play. Their toughness in a conference road environment should bode well for them in similarly tough upcoming matches.

SBCC's plays next in another conference match at home against #22 Moorpark on Friday night. At the time of publication, SBCC beat Moorpark in an electric five sets, winning the final set 21-19.