After a record-breaking season, City College women’s volleyball squad aims to keep its win streak alive throughout the regional and state playoffs.
The No. 12 Vaqueros (16-6, 10-0 WSC) swept the Western State Conference capturing their third conference championship in four years capped by school-record 14-game winning streak. They will travel to Costa Mesa, Nov. 20 to face No. 5 Orange Coast College (18-2, 12-2 Orange Empire Conference) in the first round.
“We are going to have to bring our A-game,” said 22-year head coach Ed Gover. “Orange Coast was ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in the state polling for most of the season, so we are going to have our hands full.”
The Vaqueros season started slowly at 2-6; all loses coming to teams ranked No. 13 or higher. After the team’s loss to No. 2 Bakersfield, the lineup was changed from a 6-2 with two setters to a 5-1 with one setter.
“We realized that we were much more consistent with one hitter and it’s really allowed us to limit errors and grind out wins,” said second-year assistant coach Armen Zakarian.
After making the change, Santa Barbara City College suffered just one defeat, coming at the hands of No. 4 Golden West College at the Woodland Hills tournament. The Vaqueros led Golden West two sets to none and were winning 19-14 in the third set before the Rustlers rallied to force a fifth set and the win.
“That was our last loss and really a turning point for the season,” Zakarian said. “They were the only ones to beat us with our new lineup.”
If the Vaqueros were to win, they might see the Rustlers in the second round. They would face the winner of Golden West and No. 13 Citrus College.
“I think we have really good chances,” sophomore middle-hitter Bianca Castro said about the possibility of facing a familiar foe in the post-season. “When we played them we weren’t at our full potential. We have played so well as a team through the last 14 games and it gives us more confidence.”
Many of the Vaqueros were honored with season awards including coach Gover who was named WSC Coach of the Year for the third time. Jenna Anderson was named conference Player of the Year and was the only freshman named to the All- Southern California team. Anderson led the team in kill (118) and service aces (26).
“It’s a reflection of the whole program,” Gover said. “It’s an honor to receive [Coach of the Year] mainly because our team played so well and we have a fantastic staff.”
“[Anderson] came in with a lot of skills for a freshman and we really capitalized on her high level of play.”
Eight other Vaqueros made All-Conference. Sophomores Bianca Castro, Mackenzie Mexico and freshman setter Ariana Garner were named to the first-team. Castro led the conference in block assists (50) and was 9th in solo blocks (12). Garner had 457 assists and Mexico had 137 digs
“It helps us that we have a lot of depth. We have a lot of girls on the bench who were starters at the beginning of the year,” Zakarian said. “It really raises the level of competition and they are constantly challenging each other to make each other better.”
Emily Banas, Katie Dolan, Jasmine Ward and Teresa Weller all earned second-team All- Conference honors. Banas leads the team in digs (153) and was second in kills (111).
