Game Recap: LA Mission College Women's Volleyball Team Suffers Loss to Santa Barbara

In a challenging match on October 20, 2023, the Los Angeles Mission College (LAMC) Women's Volleyball team, known as the Eagles, faced off against Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) in an away game that tested the resilience and skill of the Eagles. Despite a valiant effort, the Eagles fell in straight sets, with final scores of 18-25, 16-25, and 22-25.

The Eagles started the match trying to establish a rhythm but struggled to maintain consistency against a formidable Santa Barbara squad. The first set saw the Eagles push for points, but they fell behind early and couldn't bridge the gap, ending the set at 18-25.

Moving into the second set, the Eagles attempted to regroup and counter Santa Barbara's momentum. However, Santa Barbara continued to display a strong offensive and defensive game, closing down the Eagles' hitters and securing the second set 25-16.

In what became the final set, the Eagles showed their determination and grit. Temple Vasquez and Jaya Davison led the Eagles with 7 and 10 kills respectively, fighting for every point and bringing the score to a competitive 22-25. Taylor Boone, the setter, worked hard to create opportunities with 25 assists. Defensively, Geraldine Martinez made her presence felt with 5 digs, contributing to the Eagles' defensive efforts.

Despite these individual performances, the Eagles couldn't overcome the balanced attack of Santa Barbara. Heidi Collins was a standout for Santa Barbara, delivering 12 kills with a .476 hitting percentage, leading her team to a clean sweep victory.

The Eagles showed sparks of strong play, especially in the third set, but the cohesion and consistency were not enough to secure a win against a well-prepared Santa Barbara team. The Eagles will reflect on this game, learning from their experiences and looking to build on their individual performances.

Jaya Davison emerged as a notable performer for the Eagles, earning 13 points with her powerful attacks and serves, and Temple Vasquez contributed 8.5 points, demonstrating her capability on the court.

Although the Eagles did not come away with the win, their fighting spirit was evident in the face of adversity. Coach's view of the match would likely focus on the positives such as the third set's competitive edge and the need for more work on reducing errors and improving the kill percentage.

The Eagles return to the drawing board as they prepare for their next game, hoping to turn their determination and individual skill into a cohesive performance that can win matches.