The Riverside City College women's volleyball team hosted the Southwestern College Jaguars in non-conference action on Wednesday night for their second home match of the season. The Tigers handled the Jaguars in four sets with scores reading 25-15, 25-20, 18-25 and 25-11.
Riverside landed in a positive hitting percentage in all four sets and earned a game-high .308 hitting percentage coming in the first set. They began to taper off in the second and third set, but a powerful fourth set led Riverside to the promise land at game's end.
The Tiger's first set set the tone from the get go. They were knotted up early at six-all following a kill from sophomore outside hitter Jessica Lepe. The Tigers promptly closed out the opening frame on an 11-2 run highlighted by two more kills from Lepe and a kill each from sophomore outside hitter Maggie Aburto and freshman middle blocker Montana Gibson. Freshman setter Audrey Elias recorded the assist on three of the kills, contributing to her game-high 31 assists.
Riverside took the second set in a 25-20 battle, but dropped the match-clinching set, 25-18, after barely hitting in the positive (.049).
The fourth set solidified the Tigers' prowess as they roared back with ease. They took an early 7-3 lead compliments of a kill and a block from freshman outside hitter Lanah Bergen. Gibson and Lepe teamed up on the second block of the streak shortly after Bergen's stuff at the net.
After Southwestern brought the score to within three, Riverside rallied off 10-consecutive points to take a commanding lead.
Southwestern committed seven-consecutive errors followed by two service aces from sophomore defensive specialist Chloe Christelman. The Tigers closed out the match with two powerhouse kills from Aburto, rattling the gym to a four-set victory.
Aburto led the offense with 13 kills to go along with 15 digs, two assists and one ace. Lepe followed with 10 kills which was one kill shy of her season-high mark. She led the team with 43 attempts and recorded three blocks in the process.
Elias was the gear to the offense by recording 31 assists and two services aces. Her assist mark is the third time she has recorded 30 or more assists this season. She has recorded at least 20 or more assist in every game this season. Furthermore, she recorded a career-high 17 digs.
Sophomore libero Mya Castro matched Elias' 17 digs which is a season high for her as well. She chipped in two aces and an assist as well.
Gibson dominated the net with a career-high seven blocks, while recording four kills.