BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The SBCC women's volleyball team went undefeated on day two of the Bakersfield Quad, opening the day with its first win of the early season over College of the Sequoias, 25-23, 14-25, 25-18, 25-20. Later in the day, the Vaqueros went the distance in a five-set victory over Mt. San Antonio 23-25, 25-16, 25-20, 24-26, 15-10.
"We played two strong volleyball programs and battled our way to a 2-0 record on the day," head coach Kat Niksto said. "We are so happy with the growth of this young team in just one weekend of volleyball."
The Vaqueros are now 2-1 through three matches, marking their best start since 2017.
SBCC vs. Sequoias
Leading the offense in SBCC's first match of the day was freshman opposite Caroline McCarty with a team-high 10 kills. Middle blocker Karoline Ruiz and outside hitter Tatum Huffman tallied eight and seven kills, respectively.
Freshman setter Emma Crabbe was another Vaquero standout, posting team-highs of three aces and 25 assists.
"Emma refuses to lose and ran the offense with a passion and drive to win," Niksto said.
Niksto also praised the play of sophomore Lauren Holsted, who provided a boost by anchoring the Vaquero offense with her consistent serving and passing.
On the defensive side of things, Tatum recorded three of SBCC's seven blocks. Libero Jordyn Anderson paced the Vaqueros with 15 digs to go along with a pair of aces.
Unlike in its previous match against Bakersfield, Santa Barbara won a close opening set, taking it 25-23. Set two proved to be the most lopsided set of the day, with the Vaqueros dropping it 14-25.
The final two games would see SBCC closing things in comfortable fashion, 25-18, 25-20.
SBCC vs. Mt. SAC
The Vaqueros enjoyed easily their most prolific offensive performance thus far in match two against Mt. SAC, ending with a season-best .270 hitting percentage led by outside hitter Bella Johnson's 16 kills.
Libero Jacelin Mckie led SBCC with 18 digs, also tallying two aces.
"Against Mt. SAC, Bella hit an insane .600% with just one error on 25 swings," Niksto remarked. "Jacelin McKie had a solid day on defense, and both middles Karoline Ruiz and Grace Wells worked hard all day putting up big blocks for the team."
McCarty reached double-figures in the kill department for the third straight time to open the year, finishing with 12 putaways. Setters Emma Crabbe and Sophie Ward finished with 31 and 25 assists, respectively.
After dropping the first set 23-25, SBCC bounced back to take a 2-1 advantage with wins of 25-16 and 25-20. Set four saw the Vaqueros fall in a close one 24-26, but they once again rebounded for a convincing 15-10 win in the decisive fifth set.
Next Up
SBCC has a busy week upcoming with four matches in four days, beginning with a meeting at Long Beach this Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 6:00 pm. The Vaqueros will open their 2021 home slate on Saturday, Sept. 4 with matches against Cerro Coso (12:00 pm) and San Diego Mesa (4:00 pm).
