In front of a spirited crowd of over 150 fans at Mission, the women's volleyball team of Los Angeles Mission College, the renowned Eagles, battled fiercely against Mt. San Jacinto, eventually claiming a well-deserved 3-1 victory. The evening match on 9/9/2023 had every element of a thrilling encounter with intense rallies, dramatic twists, and outstanding individual performances.
The match started with a nail-biting first set where the Eagles narrowly edged Mt. San Jacinto 26-24. Though the Eagles stumbled in the second set, losing 22-25, their resilience was unmistakably evident in the grueling third set, which they clinched 34-32. This victory undoubtedly boosted their confidence, allowing them to commandingly take the fourth set 25-14, sealing the match in their favor.
Jaya Davison of LA Mission was the star player of the night, racking up an astonishing 26 kills from 73 attempts, despite facing 16 errors. Her aggressive approach and unstoppable spikes kept the fans on the edge of their seats. Temple Vasquez followed closely with 18 kills from 35 attempts, boasting a commendable hitting percentage of .371. Vasquez also contributed with 4 service aces, further consolidating her reputation as a key player for the Eagles.
LA Mission's Taylor Boone showed off her exceptional setting skills, assisting her teammates with 51 assists while also registering a flawless 2 kills from 2 attempts. Defensive dynamo Hilda Zahedi made her presence felt with a whopping 23 digs, ensuring the Eagles were always in the game.
On the Mt. San Jacinto side, Brooklynn Thomas and Megan Gajda were the main contributors, with 13 and 12 kills, respectively. Their defense was led by Thomas, who made 18 digs, followed by Lilly Galvan, who contributed 17. Hailey Frary's performance also caught the eye with 8 kills and an impressive block tally, contributing a total of 6 block assists and 1 solo block.
Despite the passionate effort from Mt. San Jacinto, LA Mission's teamwork, individual brilliance, and the roaring support of their home crowd were the determining factors in this thrilling encounter.
As the Eagles bask in the glory of this win, their journey continues, promising more exciting matches in the future. The atmosphere at Mission was electric, a testament to the support and enthusiasm that the LA Mission volleyball program evokes. And with performances like this, there's little doubt that the fans will be back for more.