Although they are still looking for their first win of the season, the Cerritos College volleyball team continues to remain competitive. On Friday, the Falcons (0-10, 0-3) lost a straight set South Coast Conference match against El Camino College, 14-25, 20-25, 22-25, but were within striking distance in the final two sets to extend the match. The team will travel to Rio Hondo College next Wednesday for a 6:00 p.m. conference match.

A slow start in the first set didn't dampen the team's motivation, as they trailed 18-15 before the team traded points until the Warriors recorded four of the final six points in the second set, thanks to a pair of kills from Alex Perryman and Leafa Juarez. The two would go on to combine for 37 of El Camino's 55 kills on the night.

Fighting back from an 19-10 deficit in the third set, a pair of service aces from sophomore Carissa Mendibles (Downey HS) was followed by a kill from sophomore Abby Gutierrez (Downey HS). They closed the game to 19-14 and then drew to within 23-20 after four straight El Camino attack errors. Serving with the score, 24-22 after a Kira Magdaleno (Artesia HS) kill, the match came to a conclusion after a ball handling error.

Freshman Kaydence Portillo (Bell Gardens HS) led the team with eight kills, while Magdaleno and sophomore Aiyana Sierra (La Mirada HS) each posted six kills and three service aces. Gutierrez led the team with 16 digs and chipped in with a pair of kills, with Mendibles dishing out 22 assists from her setter position and added a pair of service aces.

Photos by Daryl Peterson