By John M. Sherrard

(WOODLAND HILLS) A banner season came to an end for the Mt. SAC Women's Volleyball team Tuesday night in the Southern California Regionals.

No. 2 ranked L.A. Pierce College (27-3) may have defeated Mt. SAC, 23-25, 18-25, 25-15, 20-25, in the CCCAA first round playoffs, but that doesn't take away from the record-breaking season for the Mounties.

For the first time in the history of the Mountie Volleyball program, the team won the South Coast Conference title.

The Mountie women accomplished that feat with a perfect 8-0 conference record and an outstanding 20-win season against only four losses.

It was the first time in the last five years that the Mountie volleyball team amassed 20 wins in a season.

And it all came under the guidance of first-year coach Ali Carey-Oliver, who was recently named SCC Coach of the Year.

"I'm so proud of this team," Carey-Oliver said. "(Tuesday) didn't end how we wanted to, but we fought hard till the very end."

Leading the way for the Mounties were sophomores Erica Gumz (12 digs, 2 service aces) and Makenzie Thieme (12 digs, 2 aces) with nine kills apiece. Freshman middle blocker Jordon Wilson had eight kills, while sophomore setter Carolina Urquieta had 25 assists, four kills and four digs.

Sophomore outside hitter Haley English, who was named by the California Community College Women's Volleyball as an All So Cal Regional player, had four kills for the Mounties.

Mt. SAC lost a close first set, 25-23 and fell two sets down, losing the second set, 25-18.

However, behind 11 kills in the third set, the Mounties won the third set, 25-15 to trail, 2-1 in sets.

The Brahmas won the fourth and final set for the 3-1 victory.

As a team the Mounties totaled 38 kills.

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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.