By John M. Sherrard
(El Cajon, CA) The Mt. SAC Women's Volleyball team opened the 2017 season with a tall order in facing two of the eight CCCAA state playoff finalists from last season in Cypress and Grossmont Friday afternoon.
The Mounties fell in the opening match to last years' state semifinalists Grossmont, 3-0 (19-25, 23-25, 17-15) and to 2017 state quarterfinalist Cypress 3-2 (25-21, 16-25, 18-25, 25-23, 15-5) in their second match.
Freshman middle blocker Lindsey Lane and sophomore middle blocker Jordon Wilson led the Mounties against Grossmont with seven and six kills respectively in the three games, while freshmen setters Brianda Valdez (6 digs) and Leslie Perez (2 service aces) had seven assists each. Freshman outside hitter Alysha Tullar had a match-high seven digs.
Trailing 1-0, the Mounties had a chance to tie the match at one game apiece in the second game, as they led 21-20 late on a kill by Wilson.
Two consecutive Grossmont attack errors gave Mt. SAC a three-point advantage, 23-20, but the Griffins would end the set on a 5-0 run to win, 25-23 for the 2-0 lead.
In the third set the Mounties led early,12-10, behind four kills (Lane 2, Wilson, Lujan) and three service aces by Perez, Valdez and freshman OH Sierra Lujan and trailed by one point late, 16-17, but were outpointed down the stretch, 8-1, for the 25-17 final score.
Against Cypress the Mounties battled the Chargers for a five-set marathon. The Mounties trailed, 1-0, but rallied for a 2-1 lead in games, before falling in the final two games.
Leading the Mounties were freshman OH Saipeti Fulava (11 digs, 2 service aces) and Wilson (3 service aces) with nine and seven kills respectively.
Perez and Valdez added 15 and 14 assists each and freshman defensive specialist Malia Carr had a match-high 14 digs, along with 10 by Tullar.
The Mounties return for their home opener on Wednesday against Ventura at 6:00 pm.
Follow Mt. SAC Women's Volleyball on Twitter @MtSAC_WVB
Follow Mt. SAC Athletics on twitter @MtSAC_athletics or Facebook @Mountie.Athletics
For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.