Glendora, CA (Volleyball) – After cruising through the beginning of Western State Conference play, the Owl’s ran into a wall in Valencia, CA when they visited College of the Canyons. The Cougars served the Owl’s their first conference loss of the year that night, and ever since the Owl’s had tonight’s match circled on their calendars. By night’s end the Owl’s had revenges sweet taste in their mouth as they swept the Cougars in straight sets 30-26, 30-28, and 30-25.
The first game proved to be the wildest of the night, as there were 4 lead changes throughout. The Cougars jumped out to a 3-1 lead, but the Owl’s battled back and began to trade points with Canyons. With the game tied at 11 a piece, Canyons Heather Sanders mishandled a set giving the Owls a 12-11 lead.
The Owl’s would pull ahead briefly, before the Cougar’s came roaring back tying up the game at 15. Citrus’ Jennifer Washington had a chance to keep the Owl’s on top but misplayed the attack and made an error giving Canyons the lead right back.
Canyons would keep the lead until the Owl’s battled back to 25 all. Lucero Vargas would take and smash the ball for a kill on a Janelle Martinez assist, giving the Owl’s the lead for good. Citrus would stave off another Cougar comeback before taking the first game 30-26.
The second game proved to be as good, but with fewer lead changes. Canyons would lead the beginning of the match, until the Owls’ were able to tie it up at 11. The Owl’s Janelle Martinez saw a crack in the armor of the Cougar’s and on her set pushed the ball over the net putting it where no one could reach it. With the Owl’s up 12-11, the Owl’s would charge towards the end never releasing their grip of the lead again on their way to a 30-28 victory.
In the 3rd game, Canyons would jump out to yet another lead. At 7 all, Canyon’s Marissa Ricks misplayed her serve and turned over the lead to Citrus. The Owl’s would go on a 15-3 run, causing Canyon’s coach to call a time-out. Out of the timeout, Citrus would surrender 7 consecutive points, before getting their act together on their way to a 30-25 victory clenching win.
Lucero Vargas was stellar in the game coming up with big play after big play and leading all players with 19 kills and .410 kill percentage. Kelly Fink was second on the team in kills with 14 and tied with Stephanie Gautier for the lead in digs with 17. Jen Washington recorded 2 blocks (1 solo, 2 assisted).
With the win the Lady Owl’s move to 16-3 on the season and 9-2 in WSC play. The Owl’s will have their final home game of the year against 1st place LA Pierce Tuesday November 14th, at 7:00 pm. Pierce, who is undefeated in conference play, beat the Owl’s in a 5 set thriller earlier in the season.
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