Indoor Volleyball Hands Golden West First Lost of Season in Conference Opener

It took five sets to determine a winner in the Riverside City College women's indoor volleyball conference opener against the undefeated Golden West College Rustlers on their home court. In a game that saw 26 tied scores and 11 lead changes, it was the Tigers who reigned supreme and snapped the Ruster's six-game winning streak in a five-set thriller.

The Tigers won in the second, fourth and fifth sets with thier highest hitting percentage mark of .208. It was the third-consecutive time the Tigers have beat the Rustlers as they begin conference play on a high note. Ten players recorded at least one kill, but a familiar tandem lead the pack.

The sophomore duo of Vashti Elias-Romero and Jasmine Urban paced the offense once again. The two combined for 31 kills with Elias-Romero pacing the way with 19. It is the second-consecutive contest she landed in double-digit kills. Urban recorded 12 which acts as a season high and career high.

More career highs were set in the victory as freshman Hailey Gray recorded a career-high 30 assists to fuel the offense. Strong offense is fueled by effective defense. The backline was helmed by sophomore Sadie Arganda. Arganda, who has started at libero in each match, recorded a career-high 30 digs.  

Freshman Amara Hill contributed with six kills while adding a career high three solo stuffs and four block assists. Sophomore Robyn Collier hammered home five kills, while freshman Katie Peterson found the hardwood four times.

Sophomore Madison Hernandez followed her career-high assist performance with 10 assists as well. She assisted on the point which set up match point in the fifth set.

Riverside (6-4, 1-0 OEC) will continue action on Wednesday, September 25 on the road at 6 p.m.