Feather River sweeps MiraCosta, advances to state semifinals

Natalie Thomas with the attack for Feather River in its quarterfinal win over MiraCosta Friday, photo by Richard Quinton.
Natalie Thomas with the attack for Feather River in its quarterfinal win over MiraCosta Friday, photo by Richard Quinton.
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December 6, 2019

(CHULA VISTA) -- North #1 seed Feather River College is on a roll and showed the South region audience why its now on a streak of 36 consecutive sets won with a solid sweep over South #4 MiraCosta, 25-20, 25-18, 25-23, Friday morning in the CCCAA Women's Volleyball State Championship quarterfinals.

The Golden Eagles added to their state-leading total of 33 victories (33-2 overall) and extended their win streak to 12 matches. Natalie Thomas hit .370 with 12 kills (four in each set) while Lelaau Tuia handled serve receive well despite being targeted all match. Tuia added eight kills.

All-American setter Mere Nagase made several flamboyant sets and a couple of spectacular drop kills as she totaled 25 assists, 10 digs and four kills. Sydney Gott chipped in seven kills and FRC had strong serving by reserves Maya Carle and Lauren Ornbaurn, both with three aces. Libero Kayla Joyce contributed a match-high 12 digs and had six set assists.

MiraCosta (21-6) saw a 10-match win streak snapped playing before a local crowd at PCAC opponent Southwestern College. The Spartans were led by Savannah So'oto with nine kills and 10 digs. Feather River neutralized the power hitting of MC's top hitter and All-State Hayley Torres, who was limited to six kills. 

"We showed a lot of resiliency these last six weeks and played through some adversity to get here," said MiraCosta head coach Chris Muscat. "I think we kind of let the moment (of appearing in a state championship tournament) get to us. We made mistakes in the opening set, but I thought we played better in that third set especially. But we are a young program and we expect to be a regular here. We just have to understand and learn how to play in the moment."

MiraCosta was the only non-conference champion in the 8-team field and finishes the season in a tie for fifth place at state.

Feather River will play the winner of the second quarterfinal between South #2 Grossmont and North #3 Cabrillo on Saturday in the state semifinals at 2 p.m. FRC already assured itself of its highest finish in its history as it will place no lower than a tie for third.