Lee, Galvan Help Women's Volleyball End Losing Streak

Juyeon Lee played libero in helping PCC women's volleyball win on Friday (photo by Richard Quinton).
Juyeon Lee played libero in helping PCC women's volleyball win on Friday (photo by Richard Quinton).

Short two starters due to injuries going into their second match of the day Friday, the Pasadena City College women's volleyball team looked for a spark. The Lancers found it in the play of sub libero Juyeon Lee and middle blocker Brianna Galvan as they stopped a 6-match losing streak in defeating San Bernardino Valley in four sets at the PCC Quad tourney.

Ranked #9 in the state thanks in part to a difficult early-season schedule of high-ranked opponents, PCC was reeling following a 4-set loss to unranked Mt. San Jacinto, 25-14, 25-14, 13-25, 25-23, that opened the day at Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium. It didn't help that starting libero Emily Licon and starting middle blocker Savannah Curtis each were unable to play v. SBVC, a rematch of last year's SoCal Playoff First Round win by Pasadena.

But the freshman Lee (from South Korea), who had been mostly a reserve serve specialist in previous matches, found herself wearing the red libero jersey for the Wolverines match after unranked SBVC looked strong in defeating State #T25 Ventura in four sets in its opening match. Lee was steady with 11 digs and sound serve receive to go with two aces as PCC downed SBVC, 25-20, 25-23, 23-25, 25-18. 

Lee had come off the bench in the final two sets v. MSJC and recorded 12 digs and dished out four assists as the team played well the last half of the Eagles match. 

Galvan, a redshirt last year, also had a strong day as she ripped seven kills in just 15 swings v. Mt. San Jacinto, then scored four kills, three blocks, and two aces v. San Bernardino.

"Juyeon inspired us to rally in the first match and then we carried that into beating San Bernardino," said PCC head coach Mike Terrill. "Bri was another player who stepped up later in the opening match and then relished playing the entire second match. We basically were in a must-win situation and the two freshmen were huge."

Setter-opposite Shaylee Ungos was also outstanding in the victory as she blasted 13 kills (hit .455), set eight assists, made four blocks and served seven aces, including landing two straight for the final points in the fourth set. Chayse Hoon added 12 kills, Biko Hollie totaled seven kills, 13 digs and four blocks, Machijah Harville added two kills and five blocks, Kamea Vongfak contributed 24 assists and three aces, and Marina Segura made 10 digs and three of the team's 17 aces. 

Against Mt. San Jacinto, Hollie struck for 12 kills and 13 digs, Hoon had nine kills, Harville scored five kills (just nine attempts, .556) and two blocks, and Curtis chipped in four kills and four blocks.

"We knew our tough schedule could really test us and it has," Terrill said. "We came out of the gate with three great wins, including sweeping a great Grossmont squad, then we had our confidence shaken with four losses v. four really outstanding teams from the North. I loved how we battled v. another hard opponent in Moorpark (loss in five), but then we fell into bad habits v. Mt. San Jacinto. Overall, our last six sets on Friday in the two matches were encouraging. We have a long way to go and I expect us to develop better consistency in all facets of the game. We have the tools and the talent to play winning volleyball."