First, the Lancers paid back first-place Rio Hondo, then on Wednesday it was the state #17 Pasadena CIty College women's volleyball team's turn to avenge another earlier league defeat in upsetting #12 Long Beach City, 25-18, 25-22, 17-25, 25-22. PCC stretched its winning streak to seven and in the process pulled into a second place tie with the Vikings in the South Coast Conference.
PCC upped its record to 18-6 and 11-3 in SCC play, handing LBCC just its third loss in 20 matches (17-13). It was the team's 10th straight victory on its home floor--Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium. The post-match celebrations of late have included head coach Mike Terrill jumping up and down with PCC baseball team's players who have become frequent visitors as fans rooting on the volleyball squad.
Against Long Beach, the Lancers hit .375 and attacked with avegeance scoring 15 kills, 14 passed out by setter Lindsay Delgadillo. Ashley Gilbert scored four kills in seven swings while Emma Yogan slammed five in nine attempts.
PCC led 18-11 before the Vikings cut it to 19-18 on an ace by Bradi Ramirez. A kill by Gilbert gave PCC sideout, then Kamea Vongfak served out to complete a 7-0 run (two more kills by Gilbert) and the 7-point, first-set triumph.
In set #2, Yogan bombed two kills during a 6-1 Lancers run for a 10-4 lead. The Vikings eventually cut it to 23-21, but Gilbert scored a huge kill, then Katie Carius got her big swing barely through the LBCC block for set point and a commanding 2-0 games lead for the Lancers.
Long Beach used its big block and a super efficient hitting attack (.435, 12, just two errors in only 23 attempts) to roar back for an 8-point, third set win. The Vikings trio of Mikayla Curry (eight kills and nine blocks overall in the match), Enaya Vaielua (who performed a triple-double with 12 kills, 11 set assists and 10 digs to go with six block assists), and Ryannah Gagau (11 kills) showed why LBCC has been an elite team in the state this year.
PCC, though, has also been part of the elite, as high as #10 at one point in the state rankings, and now raising its level of play since a 2-match losing streak (losses to LBCC in five on Sept. 29 and swept by Mt. San Antonio on Oct. 4).
Reese Roper opened the fourth set by serving a 5-0 Lancers run, led by two kills from Yogan. But Long Beach exploded with a 17-7 run capped by a Carmelina Infante kill for a 17-12 Vikings advantage. After a timeout, Gilbert decided to take matters into her own hands as she powered a kill, teamed with Delgadillo for a block, then followed a booming kill by Ashley Marrone with one of her own that cut it to 17-16.
In one of the biggest moments of the match, Delgadillo (captured in story photo) perfectly placed a dump kill to surprise LBCC at 19-19. The teams continued to trade points, tying three more times. At 22-22, Carius slammed a kill, then Gilbert and Kyley Chang made a stuff block. Makayla Chiechi, who tallied a match-high 22 digs, landed the match-point ace as the celebration ensued.
Yogan scored a match-high 17 kills, Gilbert had a monster effort with 12 kills (.385) and five blocks (two solos), Delgadillo totaled 44 assists, two kills, six digs and an ace, Chang tallied eight kills coming off the PCC bench, Carius had six kills (.385), Roper five kills and nine digs, and Marrone was a key sub with four kills, no errors in 11 strong swings (.364). Vongfak (seven digs), Delgadillo, and Roper supplied a tough serve all evening.
PCC head coach Mike Terrill has enjoyed the growth of his squad.
"It's hard to express the sense of pride I have in our team," he said. "Seeing them play their hearts out and celebrate big with each other after points is just such a rewarding feeling. It's why we love to compete.
"Ashley Gilbert has separated herself as an elite middle blocker in our conference. Ashley Marrone came in huge off the bench and has been an absolute star in her role for this team. Mac with another huge dig performance and Lindsay really is leading the team offensively and orchestrating big moments. Kamea's serve was huge tonight and the way Gilbert, Katie and Emma were putting away balls in teh fourth set really turned the tide. Kyley did her job and scored well while Reese provided great D and ball control."
Terrill then said with caution: "It was a great team win, but we can't rest on our laurels because we have two more tough opponents waiting for us to finish off conference play."
Barring two upsets in the last three matches, Rio Hondo (12-1 in conference play) appears to be on course to win the SCC title. The Lancers though could either tie LBCC for second or have a chance to place second outright if Rio Hondo defeats the Vikings on Nov. 10.
PCC would like to get back at Mt. San Antonio, a team that handed the Lancers their worst defeat of the season more than month ago in a 25-13, 25-14, 25-21 defeat. They host the Mounties on Friday, Nov. 3 in a 6 p.m. first serve at the "Hutto." Following the match, fans should stick around as the team celebrates Sophomore Night in honoring the team's nine lettermen.
LANCERS SPREAD WEALTH IN SWEEP AT LACC
On Oct. 27, the Lancers swept winless host Los Angeles City College, 25-8, 25-8, 25-12. Marrone scored seven kills, 10 digs and served four of the team's 16 aces. Yogan played the opening set only and served four aces with a kill and four digs. Karmen Turner made a match-high 15 digs and twirled three aces while Shaylee Ungos totaled 11 set assists, with two aces and a kill. Vongfak had 15 set assists, and three aces in rare start at setter for her.
Other performers v. LACC on a deep PCC 2023 squad were Ariana Pedroza scoring five kills (hit .500), Itzel Aguayo with four kills (.667) and a solo block, Karsyn Gwinnup with five kills and four digs, and Chayse Hoon scoring three kills and a block. Chang added four kills and two blocks.
Ashley Gilbert v. Long Beach
