PCC Quad Gives #11 Women's Volleyball Reason For Encouragement

Coming off a 4-set loss at #14 Moorpark on Sept. 3, the Pasadena City College women's volleyball team knew the importance of facing two more State Top 25 ranked teams at the PCC Quad on Friday. The Lancers proceeded to knock off #7 and previously undefeated Santa Monica in five sets and then swept #25 San Bernardino Valley at Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium.

Pasadena (6-2 overall) snapped a 2-match losing streak, which included a 4-set defeat v. #6 and still undefeated LA Mission back on Aug. 30.

Against SMC (9-1 after later sweeping #24 Ventura), PCC jumped ahead 2-0 in sets only to the Corsairs come back winning sets #3 and 4. In the fifth, the teams traded four ties when outside hittter Payton Scott used her powerful swing to land two kills as the Lancers prevailed, 25-20, 25-20, 21-25, 17-25, 15-12. 

PCC's attack was slowed in the fifth set when outside hitter Bobbie Torres had to leave due to injury, but Torres was a big difference as she scored 14 kills and made a team-high 18 digs. Scott contributed 16 kills while middle blocker Delaney Blied was a force with 10 kills (hit .500) and two blocks. Fellow MB Savannah Curtis added four kills and six blocks (two solo) and setter Melissa Monterroza was steady with 41 assists, eight digs, three blocks and two kills.

Opposite Izzy Taylor tacked on five kills and 14 digs and libero Juyeon Lee scored four aces and made 13 digs. Defensive specialiast Jayleen Almaraz tallied 10 digs. 

With Torres not available the next match, the Lancers turned to OH Leah Millage, who scored 10 kills as PCC swept SBVC, 25-20, 25-18, 25-23. Blied dominated at the net, scoring 11 kills in just 14 swings, hitting a Babe Ruth power .714. Scott collected 11 kills, Taylor eight kills while serving four aces, Monterroza dished out 35 assists with eight digs, two aces and two dump kills, and Sabiya Esquivel notched seven digs.

In the team's loss at Moorpark, 20-25, 25-17, 25-16, 25-17, the Lancers allowed 15 Raiders aces and saw their serve/pass game slip, something that the squad did well in Friday's victories. Scott scored 13 kills, Lee defended 23 digs, Blied had seven kills and five blocks (two solos), and setter Julianna Wilson handed out seven assists.

"We learned from the Moorpark match and we kept our composure in the fifth set against a very good Santa Monica team," said PCC head coach Mike Terrill. "Our depth is showing more as different kids are stepping up like Leah against San Bernardino. Delaney had a remarkable day and is having a big season for us. Melissa is our quarterback on offense, a reliable influence. Bobbie was huge v. SMC and Payton continues to give us another weapon on the outside in every match. We will continue to build off today's performance and strive to be more consistent."

The Lancers will host two matches next week, facing #9 Santa Barbara City College on Wednesday, Sept. 10 (5 p.m. first serve) and Irvine Valley on Friday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. PCC is 5-0 at "The Patt" this season.