Roper Leads The Way In Women's Volleyball Win Over Saddleback

Reese Roper has stepped up for PCC in recent matches (photo by Richard Quinton).
Reese Roper has stepped up for PCC in recent matches (photo by Richard Quinton).

Sophomore outside hitter Reese Roper landed 11 kills while second-year setter Lindsay Delgadillo contributed 29 assists, nine digs, and five block assists as the Pasadena City College women's volleyball team ended a 2-match losing streak with a sweep over Saddleback, 25-20, 25-17, 25-17, at Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium on Friday afternoon.

The Lancers (2-2) used a strong overall block to record 11 kills and served nine team aces to just two by the Bobcats (1-1). 

Sophomore OH Emma Yogan scored eight kills, 10 digs and two block assists while letterman opposite Kyley Chang delivered five kills and four block assists. Freshman middle blocker Itzel Aguayo contributed four block assists while fellow sophomore MB Ashley Gilbert added four kills, three blocks (one solo) and served two aces. Sophomore libero Makayla Chiechi tallied 11 digs and two aces while frosh setter Kamea Vongfak had two aces and seven digs.

"We are working to be present and mindful, and we rebounded quite well with a strong performance v. Saddleback," said PCC head coach Mike Terrill. "We won the serve/pass battle and defended with tenacity and blocked very well. I'm very happy for our players." 

For Saddleback, Stila Fresenius scored a match-best 16 kills and added 11 digs in trying to keep the Bobcats in it.

On Wednesday, the Lancers played spike-for-spike in the opening set with last year's #1 South playoff seed Ventura, but after losing the game in extra points, PCC struggled in getting swept by the visiting Pirates, 27-25, 25-15, 25-16. 

Roper, one of the few players who stood out in the match, rallied PCC from down 24-22 in the opening set with a kill, then back-to-back aces to reverse set point against Ventura. A failed serve, a Pirates block, and then Gracie Piro's ace gave Ventura the set.

Ventura then controlled things the rest of the match. PCC was hurt by 13 serving errors and burned by 12 aces by the Pirates, including five by returning All-State outside hitter Kayla Murdoch (led all scorers with 12 kills). 

For PCC, Roper excelled with 10 kills in a flawless 18 attempts (.556 hitting) while Yogan added eight kills and six digs.