(Walnut, CA) A match-winning kill by Mt. SAC outside hitter Andrea Brewer set off a wild celebration by the Mounties before a large crowd on Tuesday (November 21). The remainder of the team stormed the court after a 3-0 sweep over visiting Long Beach City College in the 3C2A Southern California Regional Semifinals.
With the victory, the No. 8 South Seed Mounties improved to 18-9 overall and will travel to face No. 1 South Seed San Diego Mesa (25-2), a 3-0 winner over No. 17 South Seed Santa Barbara CC, on Saturday (Nov. 25). Mesa had previously defeated Mt. SAC 3-0 in early September in a Tri-Tournament hosted by the Mounties.
Mt. SAC, which had lost two five-set matches to LBCC this season, avenged those losses with a 25-21, 25-21, 25-22 win. Additionally, Mt. SAC, receiving a first-round bye and having been in the postseason for the last eight consecutive seasons, reached the 3C2A Regional Finals for the first time in over 11 years.
Brewer, boasting a .432 K% and 7 Digs, has been a driving force for the Mounties throughout the season and earned All-So Cal Region honors. In the match against LBCC, she secured a match-high 17 kills, starting with six kills in the first two sets to lead the team.
Freshman outside hitter Candace Ceballos (3 Service Aces, 10 D) and middle blocker Zyra Green (.385 K%) contributed eight and six kills, respectively, for the Mounties, while middle blocker Leia Campbell (.300 K%, 2 D) added five kills.
Like she has been doing all season long, setter Capri Salmon (5 D, 1 SA) had a match-high 31 assists and libero Brooke Olivas led with 11 digs.
Brewer, initiated the first set with six kills, leading the Mounties to a 1-0 set lead. The team only trailed 9-8 early in the set and concluded it with consecutive kills by middle blocker Kyra Miller (3 K, .333 K%) and Brewer.
In the second set, with the Vikings leading late at 19-18, Campbell's kill evened the score at 19-19, and the Mounties finished strong with a 6-2 run, securing a 2-0 set lead. Once again, Brewer led with six kills in this set.
During the third set, with Long Beach holding another late lead at 17-16, the Mounties staged a comeback, outscoring the Vikings 9-5 to claim the match victory. In the critical late-match stretch, the Vikings committed five attack errors, compounded by two kills by Campbell.
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.
