(Walnut, CA) The Mt. SAC Beach Volleyball team finished the regular season nearly perfect at 22-1 overall but did accomplish a program first as undefeated South Coast Conference champions with a two-match sweep over visiting Rio Hondo (4-1) and Cerritos (5-0) on Friday (April 21) at "Mountie Beach". With the sound performance this season, the Mounties are seeded #3 in the CCCAA SoCal Regionals.
In addition, the Mounties also lead the state in five categories – most overall wins (22), best winning percentage (0.957), most sets won (98), and longest winning streak (20).
It was also "Sophomore Day", as seven players – Riannel Avevalo, Angelina Burton, Bristol Christelman, Riley DeGroot, JJ Quarrels, Kylie Rhodes, and Allison Whiteman - were honored prior to the match.
"I'm happy we were able to honor our sophomores today," Mt. SAC Beach Volleyball coach Danielle Diaz said. "They have made such an impact on our program these last two years, and we appreciate all the time and effort they have put in.
"(Friday) was an extremely hot one but we were able to solidify the title of undefeated SCC Champs. We have accomplished our first goal (conference champs), but are remaining humble and staying focused and prepared for post-season."
The post-season SCC Pairs Tournament gets underway on Friday (April 28) and concludes Saturday (April 29) at Long Beach City College.
That will be followed by the CCCAA So Cal's team competition and finally the state championships, May 11-13 at West Valley College in Saratoga, CA.
In the opening match against Cerritos on Friday morning, all five Mt. SAC pairs won in straight sets (5-0). A nearly perfect match against Rio Hondo (4-1) followed that.
Three Mountie pairs – 1's - DeGroot/Paige Gutowski (21-14, 21-17), 4's – Liz Ortiz/Capri Salmon (21-11, 21-16), and the 5's – Zyra Green/Rhodes (21-13, 21-18) all won in straight sets.
The 2's – Whiteman/Christelman dropped the first set, 18-21, but came roaring back and easily won the second set, 21-8, and concluded the win with a 15-11 third set.
The 3's – Burton/Arevalo – won the opening set, 21-17, dropped the second set, 18-21, and were outscored in the third,11-15.
Results:
Mt. SAC 5, Cerritos 0
1's – R. DeGroot/P. Gutowski (MSAC) def. K. Magdalena/J. Harris-Amete (Cerr.), 21-5, 21-14
2's – A. Whiteman/B. Christelman (MSAC) def. E. Gutierrez/A. Gutierrez (Cerr.), 21-8, 21-11
3's – A. Burton/R. Arevalo (MSAC) def. C. Mendibles/S. Garcia (Cerr.), 21-12, 22-20
4's – Z. Green/C. Salmon (MSA) def. A. Sierra/M. Borja (Cerr.), 21-17, 21-12
5's – J. Quarrels/K. Rhodes (MSAC) def. J. Solano/B. Lizarraga (Cerr.), 21-10, 21-10
Mt. SAC 4, Rio Hondo 1
1's – R. DeGroot/P. Gutowski (MSAC) def. N. Oronoz/F. Lee (RH), 21-14, 21-17
2's – A. Whiteman/B. Christelman (MSAC) def. F. Wada/J. Fuentes (RH), 18-21, 21-8, 15-11
3's – De. Sanchez/M. Mader (RH) def. A. Burton/R. Arevalo (MSAC), 17-21, 21-18, 15-11
4's – L. Ortiz/C. Salmon (MSAC) def. J. Martinez/J. Zuniga (RH), 21-11, 21-16
5's – Z. Green/K. Rhodes (MSAC) def. Da. Sanchez/M. Petterez (RH), 21-13, 21-18
South Coast Conference Release - https://www.cccaasports.org/sports/beachvball/2022-23/releases/Mt._SAC_wins_South_Coast
