Pasadena City College women's volleyball team head coach Mike Terrill knows he has a deep team, but on some nights he isn't sure who will step up for his squad. On Wednesday, it was redshirt freshman outside hitter Kendall Schmedes who took center stage. She powered 19 kills, and totaled 11 digs, five blocks, and served four aces in a steady all-around performance to lead the Lancers over Rio Hondo, 26-24, 25-19, 23-25, 25-20, in the South Coast Conference North Division opener for both teams.
PCC evened its overall record at 8-8 while Rio Hondo dropped to 6-10.
At Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium, PCC labored through a first set that saw Rio Hondo lead 14-8 and reach game point at 24-23. Middle blocker Rachel Johnson combined on back-to-back blocks, first with Schmedes and then with Lania Potter to give the Lancers the extra points win. In set 2, PCC led 8-5, but Rio Hondo responded to grab a 17-14 lead. The Lancers went on a 7-0 run to clinch the game with libero Kelsey Sarreal serving two aces and outside hitter Camille Ferguson slamming two kills and combining with Johnson for a set point block.
In the third set, the Roadrunners led 21-17, but again PCC came back with a 5-0 spurt to take a 22-21 lead. Pasadena attack errors allowed Rio Hondo to steal the set with lefty hitter Michelle Hawkins landing the game point. In the fourth set, PCC led 9-4 with Schmedes scoring two kills and two blocks. The Lancers built the lead to 18-10, but Rio Hondo roared back to cut it to 19-18. A Schmedes' ace upped the advantage back to four, 22-18, and ultimately a Ferguson ace landed for match point and 4-set Pasadena victory.
"Kendall seized the opportunity tonight, and had a tremendous match," Terrill said. "Rio Hondo is a feisty team and one that refuses to give up. When they made the run at us in the fourth set, I just told them at a timeout that I'm not worried because I know that we have the ability to get back on track in these situations. We answered every time it seemed Rio Hondo was about to get us.
"Nia Potter had another big match and I'm just so impressed by the significant progress she has made to turn herself into a premier middle. I don't think she is anywhere close to reaching her ceiling. She will continue to get better."
Potter pounded 10 kills and hit .391. Johnson was also busy in the middle with nine kills and seven block assists. Sarreal tallied 22 digs and Grace Crawford came off the bench for 11 digs and two aces. Setter Emily Leung also came off the bench when PCC fell behind by six points and delivered 41 assists. Ferguson tallied six kills and six digs and Paige Clingaman had six kills.
Pasadena will host East Los Angeles College on Friday, Oct. 6 in a 6 p.m. conference match.
