SBVC Clips Eagles' Wings, Move Into First-Place Tie

SBVC Clips Eagles' Wings, Move Into First-Place Tie

A year ago, the San Bernardino Valley College women's volleyball team went to Mt. San Jacinto College and pulled out a five-set victory to earn a share of its first conference championship since 2006. And if they wanted to repeat as conference champions in 2024, they would need to beat the Eagles at home on Friday.

Challenge accepted and answered.

The Wolverines used a strong defense, got timely kills, and came from behind in the first and third sets to beat Mt. San Jacinto 25-21, 25-15, 25-21 to move into a virtual tie for the top spot in the Inland Empire Athletic Conference championship. The Wolverines sit at 8-1 in conference play with three games to play, while MSJC are 7-1 with four left to play.

MSJC jumped out to an early three-point lead in the first set, but Annika Ferreras served the Wolverines back into a tie at 14, and Loleaulelei Mamea stepped to the service line and gave the Wolverines their first lead at 17-15. SBVC got a side out and Emily Valencia helped push the score to 20-17, en route to the 25-21 victory.

The Wolverines jumped out to the early three-point lead in the second set, and took control on the fourth rotation, as Lole Mamea served to give SBVC a 10-5 lead, and Valencia followed by helping the Wolverines run off four more points to go up 15-7. 

In the final set, MSJC again took an early four-point lead at 7-3 before SBVC rallied right back to take a 9-7 lead. The teams see-sawed back and forth, with MSJC having a 20-19 lead when Destiney Parker took over at the service line. SBVC scored the next four points to take a 23-20 lead. After a side out, setter Christina Muller served out the game, as MSJC's return went out of bounds setting off the celebration.

Manaia Mamea led the way with 12 kills, but she had support across the front. Muller had five kills, catching the Eagles off guard, and middle blockers Ariana Romero (four) and Destiny Allen (three) combined for seven kills without an error.

The SBVC defense was crucial in the game, extending rallies to shut down the MSJC attack. The team had 73 digs, with Parker logging 24. Romero had a solo block and two block assists, while Lole Mamea earned two block assists as well.