Riverside Handles Santa Ana in Three Sets

The Riverside City College indoor volleyball teams has had its ups and downs early on this season. While they have played with consistency and poise, they have also encountered some challenges along the way. Nevertheless, they carted a one game over .500 record into their third conference contest of the year against the Santa Ana College Dons Friday night. Riverside made quick work of the Dons in the first two sets then capped a victory in come-from-behind fashion in the third for a sweep.

Riverside moves to 2-1 in conference and two games over .500 (7-5). Head coaching tandem Monica Hayes-Trainer and Elizabeth Younglove utilized their entire roster in the victory and multiple players stepped up in unexpected areas.

Freshman middle Amara Hill was a perfect example. On match point in the third set, Hill dropped back to serve after Riverside exhausted all timeouts. She stepped up calmly to the line and dropped in the game-winning serves ace to seal the victory. Hill was outstanding in the game as seen in five kills and three block assists.

Sophomore Vashti Elias-Romero was the backbone of the offense once again as seen in 11 kills, 16 digs and four service aces. While her numbers were not eye popping, her presence on the court makes a major difference. Sophomore Jasmine Urban followed with six kills and three block assists, while sophomore libero Sadie Arganda recorded 12 digs. She has recorded double-digit digs in six of the last seven matches highlighted by a career-high 30 last week.

Freshman Hailey Gray continues to act as the engine to the offense as seen in 17 assists. She was clutch from the service line as seen in four aces. Sophomore Madison Hernandez followed with eight assists.

Riverside (7-5, 2-1 OEC) will hit the road on Wednesday, October 2 to face off against the Saddleback College Gauchos at 6 p.m.