The year 2021 has marked the return of athletics contests at Pasadena City College after a missed season. The landscape has changed due to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including a new routine of testing student-athletes on game days to try to limit a fall surge, and other measures taken by each individual college in an effort to maintain health and safety for all. For PCC at least for the near future, it means no fans at both indoor and outdoor events.
The Lancers women's volleyball team has made adjustments playing without the applause or the cheering of fans at Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium. But that hasn't deterred the squad's camaraderie and its confidence especially playing on its home floor. Ranked #9 in the state, PCC ran its home record to a perfect 5-0 in rolling over East Los Angeles College, 25-12, 25-19, 25-9, in the South Coast Conference opener for both teams Friday night.
Pasadena is 5-1 overall while ELAC fell to 2-2.
Sophomore outside hitter Nalani Young continued her outstanding play with team highs in kills (nine and a .316 attack percentage), service aces (five) and digs (10) while frosh setter Bia Silva delivered eight kills (hit .500), nine assists and three aces. First-year middle blocker Danae Johnson added four aces and freshman opposite/hitter Camila Sanchez-Tellez and rookie middle blocker Monet Latunde controlled the net with four block assists each.
Libero Kei'ana Pascua made nine digs and outside hitter Sabiya Esquivel landed six kills. Setter Nayeli SalasOrtiz, who plays in a 6-2 rotation with Silva, dished out 14 assists.
"The team played well and really enjoyed each other tonight," said an encouraged PCC head coach Mike Terrill. "It's a joy to seeing our players have fun together while competing. It was our best offensive performance of the year, and we continued to show we are an elite serving team. It was a wonderful way to begin our conference run in the SCC."
PCC's serving resulted in 16 aces as the squad is tied for third in overall aces in the state. The team's 76 points off serves currently leads the region.
Another area of delight was the attack with a .250 overall team hitting percentage v. the Huskies. In the first set, the Lancers hit .360. After some inconsistent attacks in set 2, PCC saved the best for last with a .444 hitting number in the third set on an efficient 10 kills in just 18 attempts.
The Lancers return to action next Wednesday, Sept. 15 when they play at Chaffey College in a non-conference contest. The match has a 5 p.m. first serve and can be seen on PCC's Facebook Live at: https://www.facebook.comPasadenaCCVolleyball
The Lancers players are having fun while winning.