From left to right: Julia Balancier, Natalie Escher, Roni Lopez (Photos by Nicho DellaValle)
From left to right: Julia Balancier, Natalie Escher, Roni Lopez (Photos by Nicho DellaValle)

Preview: Beach Volleyball Set to Face Golden West, MiraCosta in SoCal Regional

The Riverside City College beach volleyball team is set to compete in the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Southern California Regionals on Tuesday, May 1st on the campus of Golden West College. They will face off against Golden West and MiraCosta College in a three-way tournament in competition to advance to the CCCAA State Championships.

The Tigers placed third in conference with an overall record of 9-8 to receive the SoCal bid. The Rustlers finished with an overall record of 13-4, while the Spartans capped their season with a record of 14-4.

The Tigers are led by freshman Natalie Escher and sophomore Brittney Diffine who act as their top pair. Since teaming up together in early April, they have posted an overall record of 4-2. All but one win has come in straight sets.

Sophomore Marcella Rodriguez and freshman Julia Balancier make up Riverside's second-strongest pair. They, too, have earned an overall record of 4-2 since joining forces in early April. Just like Escher and Diffine, all but one victory has come in straight sets.

From the third steam and beyond, the Tigers own numerous pairing options. Of late, freshman Madison Bogh and Roni Lopez have acted as the number three squad, while freshman Lauren Dunmore and sophomore Delany Beck have held down the fourth pair. Freshman tandem Taylor Gardner and Telanni Childs have been slotted as the fifth and final pairing. Freshman Patricia Brucks and freshman Rozarya Barret have also contributed to the fifth team in the early stages of the season.