Walnut, Calif. – In one of the most competitive tournaments in the state this season, Mt. San Antonio College rose to the challenge against top-ranked opponents, splitting two high-level matchups against No. 2 Fresno City College and No. 4 San Diego Mesa. The No. 12-ranked Mounties showed grit and resilience throughout the day, highlighted by a thrilling five-set victory over Fresno.
GAME 1: Mt. SAC 3 | Fresno 2
In a dramatic five-set battle, Mt. SAC took down last year's state runner-up, Fresno City College, 3-2 (25-21, 25-22, 16-25, 19-25, 15-12). The Mounties came out with their game faces on, claiming the first two sets behind a well-balanced offense led by Yaretzi Silva (20 kills), Emma Carson (11 kills), and Sydney Valentine (11 kills). Eva Fisher added 8 kills on 19 swings for a team-best .368 hitting percentage, while also contributing three block assists at the net.
The defense was equally locked in with libero Mayah Tiscareno leading the back row with 19 digs, as Carson (16) and Valentine (15) followed closely behind. Setter Morgan Wilson ran a crisp offense with 43 assists, while adding 13 digs and 4 block assists of her own. The Mounties also made their mark from the service line, finishing with eight aces as a team.
Fresno, now 12-4 on the season, showed why they're ranked No. 2 by storming back to take sets three and four, powered by Kalani Soares and Haiden Arbelo, who each tallied 18 kills. Arbelo hit an efficient .400, while setter Taygan Rocco dished out 47 assists and added 14 digs.
Though Fresno outhit Mt. SAC (.230 to .121) and recorded more kills (58 to 54), the Mounties won the battle of defense with 78 digs and cleaner serve receive — proving once again that while offense sells tickets, defense wins games.
With the win, Mt. SAC improved to 9-4 and picked up a major early-season victory.
GAME 2: Mt. SAC 0 | San Diego Mesa 3
In their second match of the day, Mt. SAC faced a sharp and well-executed performance from San Diego Mesa, falling in straight sets (17-25, 16-25, 17-25). The Olympians, now 14-1 on the season, came out firing with a .438 hitting percentage in the first set and kept control throughout. Outside hitters Maddie Connelly and Mia Lundberg led the offensive charge, recording 12 kills apiece, while Isabella Barrios added six kills on a scorching .600 efficiency.
Mt. SAC showed promise early, hitting .273 in the opening set, but their efficiency dropped off in the next two sets with negative hitting percentages (-.040 and -.067). Silva led the team with 8 kills, while Carson and Valentine chipped in 7 each. However, the Mounties struggled to find consistent rhythm against Mesa's 15-block wall. Serve receive proved to be a challenge as well, with 12 errors limiting Mt. SAC's ability to build offensive momentum.
Despite the loss, the Mounties competed with energy and intensity, recognizing key areas for improvement ahead of a potential rematch down the line. With this defeat, Mt. SAC sits at 9-5 on the season.
NEXT UP:
Mt. SAC opens South Coast Conference play on Wednesday, October 1, hitting the road to face the Rio Hondo Roadrunners (4-8). First serve is scheduled for 6:00 PM.
STAY CONNECTED:
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.
