Photo by Bobby R. Hester
Photo by Bobby R. Hester

Five-Set Melee Highlights Indoor Volleyball's Quad Tournament

A five-set thriller ensued in Wheelock Gymnasium and put the Tiger's two-match winning streak in question compliments of the Mt. San Jacinto College Eagles. While the Eagles presented Riverside with a blow-for-blow dogfight, it was the Tigers that landed the knockout punch and reeled in the five-set melee.

The Tigers road an offensive rollercoaster throughout the entire match. In each set victory, which came in the first, fourth and fifth, the Tigers hit over .200. In the two sets they dropped, they hit below .150 and committed a total of 12 errors.

Nevertheless, the Tigers dug deep to haul in a come from behind victory in rousing fashion. Familiar faces guided the Tigers in the victory with sophomore outside Vashti Elias-Romero recording a team-high 13 kills. She was poised on the defensive end and in the serving game as seen in 12 digs and four aces. Additionally, she led the team with 47 attempts.

Sophomore swinger Jasmine Urban has quickly established herself as a viable weapon. She was not far behind Elias-Romero's numbers. She produced quality attempts and found he hardwood for 11 kills (.233 hitting percentage). She led her team with five service aces and three block assists as well.

A dark horse in freshman outside hitter Miranda Gates has emerged as she earned her first career start. She took advantage by humming home seven kills and notching 14 digs. Freshman Hailey Gray continued to run the offense with 26 kills and three service aces. She was reliable on the defensive end with 14 digs.

The backline was manned by sophomore libero Sadie Arganda. The sure-handed specialist displayed precise passing and led the team in digs with 17. Sophomore outside Robyn Collier contributed quality numbers with eight kills off the bench.

The Tigers fell to the San Diego Mesa Olympians in the second match of the day, 3-0. No player reached double-digit kills. Elias-Romero recorded eight, while Urban followed with seven. Gray recorded 15 assists, while Arganda recorded 13 digs.

Riverside (5-3) will continue action on Wednesday, September 18 against Pasadena City on the road at 5 p.m.