L.A. Pierce Prevails, 3-0, over Riverside in SoCal Regional Match; Tigers Finish 16-8

WOODLAND HILLS -- Recovering from a probable case of first-set jitters, the Riverside City College (RCC) Tigers Women's Volleyball team, the No. 15 seed in the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Southern California Regional Playoffs, rebounded to play respectably, but was swept by the No. 2-seeded Los Angeles Pierce College (LAPC) Brahmas, 3-0, by the set scores of 25-13, 25-21, 25-23, in a first-round match Tuesday evening (Nov. 24) at LAPC's South Gym (a.k.a. BrahmaDome).

In the first set, Riverside (16-8 overall) had some difficulty getting going in the right direction as the hosts had just too many weapons as four Brahmas had at least three kills. L.A. Pierce jumped out to leads of 4-0, 8-2, and 16-5. RCC had only five kills in the initial frame, while the Brahmas had 14.

The second set had seven ties and two lead changes. RCC had leads of 15-11 and 19-18 before the Brahmas came back. LAPC frosh OH Tamia Files (Paramount HS) had four kills in each of the first two sets to lead the hosts. Again, LAPC had 14 kills in the set, but RCC improved to 11 kills.

In the third set, RCC had leads of 11-10 and 14-12 (on a block solo by fresh MB Nyomi Ward (Moreno Valley / Rancho Verde HS '14). Undaunted, LAPC forged ties at 18-18 and 21-21, before keeping Riverside at bay, 25-23. LAPC sophomore OH Zaire Dartis (Sacramento) had seven kills in the final set.

For the Tigers, frosh MB Lauren Reed (Redlands / Redlands HS '09 / Cal Baptist U. '15) came off the bench to gain a team-high eight kills. Frosh OH Lauren Wells (Corona / Woodcrest Christian HS '15) had seven kills and frosh OH Marissa Vialpando (Moreno Valley / Riverside - Notre Dame HS '15) had six kills.

RCC sophomore setter Melissa Moe (Riverside / Poly HS '14) had a team-high 21 assists. Sophomore OH Amanda Barker (Lake Arrowhead / Rim of the World HS '14) and frosh libero Sabrina Gonzaga (Moreno Valley / Citrus Hill HS '14) each had a team-high 11 digs for the Tigers.

For the Brahmas, Files finished with a match-high 12 kills, followed by Dartis, who had 11, and sophomore MB/OH Chelsea Lawrence (Palmdale / Highland HS) had ten kills. Sophomore setter Rachel Lods (Lancaster HS) had a match-high 40 set assists. Sophomore libero Darrin Rice (Venice HS) had a match-high 12 digs.

*** 

Including Tuesday's match at No. 2 Los Angeles Pierce College, RCC eighth-year head women's volleyball coach Monica Hayes-Trainer's overall record is 101-97.

Saturday's play-in match was Hayes-Trainer's third postseason appearance as RCC's mentor. In 2008, No. 9-seeded RCC lost, 3-2, at No. 8 Bakersfield. In 2010, No. 9-seeded RCC lost, 3-0, at fellow OEC opponent (and No. 8-seeded) Irvine Valley.

Continuing with RCC's playoff history, the Tigers' only previous victory was in 2001 (Nov. 20) when, as a No. 11 seed, they upset host (No. 6 seed) Long Beach City College, 3-1. 

In 2015, the Tigers finished in fifth place (8-6) in the perennially strong OEC.

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