BAKERSFIELD, CA – One day after a great season-opening win over Grossmont, the SBCC women's volleyball team split its matches at the Bakersfield quad, sweeping Long Beach, 25-23, 25-17, 25-13, before falling to Mt. SAC, 25-20, 25-18, 25-14.
Sophomore opposite Caroline McCarty continued her stellar start to the year, now having led the Vaqueros in kills in all three matches. Santa Barbara is now out to a 2-1 start for the second straight year.
SBCC def. Long Beach – 25-23, 25-17, 25-13
The Vaqueros carried their momentum from the previous night, sweeping the Vikings to extend to five consecutive sets won against teams that competed in last year's CCCAA SoCal Regionals.
"It was an early morning after our emotional big win the night before and our play reflected that," said head coach Kat Niksto. "We came out a bit sluggish to start, but fought our way through it and I was proud of how our play improved throughout the match."
Niksto also praised the play of McCarty and freshman outside hitter Heidi Collins. McCarty finished with 13 kills, one short of a career-high, as she posted her highest hitting percentage (.524) as a Vaquero.
Collins had a second straight solid performance operating as a middle, going for seven kills on an efficient .455 kill percentage. She and McCarty both also tallied two blocks for the second straight match.
The serving game also gave SBCC a big advantage on the night, finishing with 12 aces to Long Beach's five. The freshman Collins was one of several Vaqueros to register three aces. 2021 WSC Libero of the Year Jacelin McKie was another to do so while leading all players with 13 digs.
Freshman opposite Ava Guenther also registered three aces to go along with six kills and sophomore setter Emma Crabbe had a match-high 27 assists. As a team, the Vaqueros had an early season-high .291 hitting percentage.
Mt. SAC def. SBCC – 25-20, 25-18, 25-14
SBCC's offense couldn't find the same effectiveness in the second match of the day, going up against a good Mt. SAC team that has started 3-0.
"Credit to Mt SAC for having a balanced offense and strong serving game that kept us out of system for most of the match," Niksto said. "Jacelin McKie led the team in digs with 17, but it was enough as we just couldn't get our offense going. Caroline McCarty again led the team in kills and setter Emma Crabbe posted a double double with 22 assists and 12 digs."
Coming off a year where she led the Vaqueros with 12 double-doubles, Crabbe now owns both of the team's double-doubles through three matches.
NEXT UP
SBCC will be back home for five contests this week, beginning with a match against Irvine Valley on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. that will be livestreamed. The Vaqueros will also host two days of tournaments this weekend. They will host Rio Hondo and West Valley on Friday. Tickets for these three matches can be purchased here.
On Saturday, Pasadena and San Diego Mesa come to town for the SBCC Quad Tournament, which will not be open to fans.
