After their worst night of the year thus far against El Camino the 2006 Citrus College Women’s Volleyball team bounced back with a vengeance at whoever stood in their way at the Santa Ana College Tournament this past weekend. The Lady Owls made it all the way to the top of the heap but couldn’t get the overall championship as the fell in the championship match.
Playing in a best 2 out of 3 games format the Owls easily dispatched Yuba College 30-24 and 30-19. Next on the slate was tournament host Santa Ana College with whom the Owls toyed pushing aside 30-11 and 30-12. After getting out of the early rounds the tournament switched to a one game and done format, and up first was Chaffey whom the Owls defeated 30-26. In the semifinals the Owls faced fellow WSC member Bakersfield College whom they beat 30-26. In the finals the Owls faced a tough Orange Coast College squad. It was a tough back and forth affair but when the game ended the Owls found themselves on the losing end with a heart-wrenching 28-30 defeat.
Despite not coming home with the title, the Lady Owl’s had a lot to proud of in their promising performance at the tournament. Kelly Fink led all Owls with 49 kills in the tournament. Fink had an astronomical .662 kill percentage for the tournament and an outstanding 7 kills per game average. Lucero Vargas and Lauren Bjorklund each had impressive outings as well with Vargas notching 16 kills and Bjorklund having her best showing of the year with 14 kills in the tournament. Bjorklund also led the Owls in blocks with 21 blocks (5 solo, 16 assisted). Jennifer Washington was strong on the net with 20 blocks (5 solo, 15 assisted). Mallorie Lee led all servers with 11 aces on the tournament, while Janelle Martinez had an outstanding weekend as a setter with 81 assists for a 11.57 assist per game average. Libero Stephanie Gautier and Kelly Fink each had 22 digs a piece to tie for the team lead.
The Lady Owls will host Cypress College on Wednesday September 20, 2006 for a 5:00 pm match-up.