RCC finishes the preseason 5-2

RCC finishes the preseason 5-2

RIVERSIDE (9-21-2012) – A young team has been developing in the RCC Huntley Gymnasium. With two returning starters from the previous year, finding a cohesive group of six on the court has been the main challenge for Coach Monica Trainer and her assistants. Talent is bountiful in this year's group; however, putting the pieces of the puzzle in the correct order is the issue at hand as the Tigers head into Orange Empire Conference play. 

The Tigers opened their season with a scrimmage against Southwestern. The team continued their winning ways through San Bernardino Valley, College of the Desert, and a surprise 3-0 win against a usually strong College of the Canyons squad. Then the Tigers faced Mt. SAC, the team that gutted Riverside out of a post-season play-off berth last year. Unfortunately, RCC repeated a tough five-set (game) loss to a team that is currently 11-2 and ranked #12 in the state. After the hard fought match, the Tigers headed to the annual San Diego Mesa Tournament. The first match RCC beat Palomar in four sets, and then went on to meet up a tough El Camino team. RCC lost in five sets, letting the win slip past them. The next day, San Diego Mesa took advantage a sleepy Tiger team and demolished the Tigers in three sets. With the loss, Antelope Valley and Riverside fought for the seventh spot, and RCC won in three sets. 

The following week the Tigers hosted a tournament, and they played Victor Valley and Grossmont. The Victor Valley match was a good preparation for the tough Grossmont team. RCC comfortably defeated Victor Valley in three sets. Losing the first and fourth sets to number five ranked Grossmont, the Tigers walked off with a great win due to the superb hitting of Cherylain Dizon and Taylor Whiteside, both outside hitters. Dizon also stopped kills from happening for the opposing hitters by digging a team high 22 digs. Kayla Johns, a middle hitter/blocker, stopped the Grossmont attack cold with six of the team's 16 blocks. The Tigers finished the preseason 5-2.

The Tigers open up league play at home against Santa Ana on Friday, September 28th at 6 p.m.