Photo by Cassandra Serrano
Photo by Cassandra Serrano

Women’s Volleyball Breaks Six Game Skid, Sweeps Fullerton

It has been a tough stretch for the Riverside City College volleyball team in October as they carted a six-game losing streak into tonight's Orange Empire Conference (OEC) match against the Fullerton College Hornets. With five of their past six losses being in straight sets, the Tigers flipped the script tonight by barreling past the Hornets in straight sets with scores reading 27-25, 25-22 and 25-19.

Riversdie grasped the reigns and did not let up for the majority of the contest. It was a back and fourth affair in the beginning as the first set was knotted up at 10-all. However, Riverside went on a streak and jumped out by a five-point margin. Fullerton put together a 4-0 run to bring the score back to 25-all later in the set, but two consecutive points from Riverside landed them the set win and the momentum.

The second set was all Tigers despite the three-point spread at set's end. Things got interesting in the third set as Fullerton put together a strong run at the end to come within four points, but Riverside maintained the lead and eventually reeled in the match victory.

Sophomore Maggie Aburto led the team with 12 kills and surpassed the 200-kill mark on the season. She has recorded double-digit kills in five of the last six games and 12 games overall. Furthermore, she recorded a season-high 17 digs in a tremendous defensive effort.

Joining her on the defensive front was sophomore Jessica Lepe who had a game-high 18 digs. She chipped in six kills and a set of service aces. Aburto also lofted up two service aces as well to tie for the match high.

Freshman Esmeralda Aguilar was in her bag tonight at the net, making it difficult for any opposing attacker to have a chance. She was consistently and successfully guarding the net leading to three solo block and four block assists for a career-high seven stuffs. She added in one kill on five swings.

Freshman Nina Peay performed well off the bench with nine kill on 19 attempts leading to a .444 kill percentage. Freshman Audry Elias was electric at the point of the offense leading to 31 assist. This marks her eighth time this season where she has recorded more than 30 assists. She contributed 10 digs as well.

Freshman Paris Toaetolu was money as well with seven kills and one solo block.