(Walnut, CA) In a crucial South Coast Conference North match, the Mt. SAC Women's Volleyball Team lost 3-0 to Chaffey College Wednesday night October 17.
Mt. SAC (7-12, 1-3) and Chaffey (12-6, 2-2) came into the contest tied for third in the conference standings. The visiting Panthers won 25-17, 25-21, 25-20 and took sole possession of third behind East Los Angeles and Pasadena City colleges with 3-1 records. The Mounties dropped to fourth place tied with Rio Hondo.
Outside hitter Jessica Morse (11 Digs, 2 A, 2 Aces) and middle blocker Shaianne Palos (3 Digs) led Mt. SAC with six kills each. Outside hitter Jocelyn Portillo (4 Digs, 2 Aces) and setter Brianda Valdez (3 Digs) added five and four kills, respectively. Valdez led the team in assists with 12 and libero Malia Carr had nine digs.
"Both teams played very good (Wednesday)," Mt. SAC Women's Volleyball coach Ali Carey-Oliver said.
In the first set with the score tied 11-11, Chaffey reeled off four consecutive points to take a 15-11 lead. The Mounties then outscored Chaffey 6-5, which was highlighted by kills by Palos and Morse. Morse also had an ace.
However, with Chaffey leading by only three points, 20-17, they reeled off five consecutive points to end the first set.
The second set saw 10 ties, with Chaffey not taking more than a three-point lead. With the Mounties trailing by three points, 14-11, they ran off four straight points for the 15-14 advantage.
Palos, Valdez and Portillo each had a kill for the Mounties.
Chaffey called a time out and again took a three-point lead, 19-16, only to see the Mounties again make a comeback and take another one-point lead, 20-19.
The Panthers again finished off the set, scoring five points again out of a possible six to win, 25-21.
The third set again was another close one, as the Mounties for the first time in the match took an early lead, 5-1. Morse and outside hitter Macy Barnes (5 Digs, 3 Kills) each had a kill in the early lead for the Mounties.
Later in the set Barnes had a kill and an attack error by Chaffey gave the Mounties a 13-12 lead, but Chaffey scored four of the next six points for the 16-15 lead they would never relinquish.
Morse had a kill later to end a short four-point run by Chaffey and a 20-16 lead.
Chaffey held off the Mounties with a 5-4 finish and the match, 25-20.
Mt. SAC travels to Cerritos next Wednesday October 24 for another SCC North match and return home on Friday October 26 for "Sophomore Night."
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.