Long Beach, Calif. - There were no spectators allowed in the gym, but there was plenty of noise in an enthusiastic, early season intersectional contest between LBCC and SBCC. The two traditional state powers squared off in Long Beach, brimming with a fire left untended to during the pandemic-stricken season lost.  By night's end, the Vaqueros vanquished the previously unbeaten Vikings in straight sets by a score of 25-16, 25-17, and 25-21.

The Vaqueros succeeded in convincing fashion, rarely trailing all night. LBCC had a season-low 59 digs as a team, led by sophomore Lizbeth Lopez's 16. Freshman Caleyse Saunders led the Vikings with 8 kills, while freshman Jennifer Lias had 5 kills and 15 digs. Freshman setter Pearlnaiah Tuliau facilitated 19 assists and added 6 digs and 3 kills.  

Libero, Jacelin McKie, staked the visiting Vaqueros to a 5-1 lead in the first set with four straight service points and the Vikings were not able to quell the momentum. SBCC marched on to a pedestrian 25-16 first set win. The second set was more of the same. Although Long Beach kept pace to start with the score at 8-8, SBCC pulled away and went on a 10-2 run. SBCC ended up winning the second set 25-17. The third set was a different story. Evenly contested throughout, LBCC kept pace with the Vaqueros (3-1), but, ultimately, could not get past their opponent, dropping the third set 25-21. Freshman SBCC setter, Emma Crabbe, was a force of nature whose talent and energy were the difference maker in the match.

The Vikings (2-1) return to the court Friday, September 3 at Orange Coast College.