Tigers Claw Back to Four Set Victory Over Golden West

It took nearly the entire roster for the Riverside City College women's volleyball team to string together a solid performance against the Golden West College Rusters on Friday night. After dropping the opening set, the Tigers rallied back to take the following three sets and earn the match victory with set scores reading 23-25, 25-11, 25-19, and 25-20.

Riverside woke up quickly after sleep walking through the opening set. They cleaned up their play with ease and dominated the following set. From that moment, it was the Tiger's game to lose.

Sophomore outside hitter Julia Balancier upped the energy in Wheelock Gymnasium and came out firing to pace the offense. She recorded a team-high 10 kills to mark her second-straight contest with double-digit kills. Freshman outside hitter Vashti Elias-Romero backed her and provided a solid swing with nine kills. She was dynamic on the defensive line with 16 digs. Her services game was on point as seen in two aces.

Sophomore middle blocker Lauren Dunmore was a fire cracker in the middle with eight kills, while sophomore Rozarya Barrett complimented her with four kills. She was an opposing hitter's nightmare with five block assists and one solo stuff.

Sophomore Natalie Escher was a vacuum on the floor as seen in 23 digs which was three digs shy of her season high she set on Wednesday against Orange Coast. Sophomore outside hitter Marcella Rodriguez chipped in 10 digs.

The Tigers dug deep on their bench and it paid off. Freshman middle blocker Kayla Mckinnon and sophomore outside hitter Kiara Oregon came off the bench to record two block assists each. Freshman outside hitter Jasmine Urban got in on the blocking action as well with two of her own. She also recorded three kills.

Sophomore Taylor Gardner and freshman Robyn Collier shared the setting duties with Gardner recording a game-high 22 assists. Collier contributed 11 assists.

The Tigers (7-4, 1-1 OEC) will continue action on Wednesday, September 26 on the road against first-place Cypress College. First set is scheduled for 6 p.m.