SMC Women’s Volleyball Team Overcomes Bakersfield College
Santa Monica College (SMC) women’s volleyball team hosted ’80s night on the night of their matchup against the Renegades from Bakersfield’s College at Santa Monica Gymnasium on Wednesday, Oct. 1. The Corsairs completed three sets defeating the Renegades 25-18, 25-16, 25-11.
Outside hitter (OH) Mia Whitlock started the first set off strongly, scoring two points for the Corsairs with back-to-back kills. After a service error from Corsair setter (S) Makenna Gamby, the Renegades S Maya Barron scored three consecutive aces, aiming at the left back row where MB Nicole Lankton was positioned.
Quick sets and back sets started with both teams' setters picking up the pace of the game after the Renegades' first time out. Lankton killed a quick set pushed close to the outside and a quick back slide shortly after for the Corsairs.
OH, MB Reese Luke finished the first set 25-18, smashing an attack right in front of Renegade’s libero (L) Chloe Lopez, who fell short getting underneath the ball.
Right side (RS) hitter Deavan Antoine-Dillon and Lankton had heavy impacts offensively for the Corsairs, hammering the ball right inside the left-bound line within a few plays of each other.
During an intense rally, Corsairs L Annah Legaspi picked up three major back-to-back digs with pass assists from Gamby and Whitlock, hitting the floor as well. At the same time, Renegades' key MB Alexandra Watts swung powerfully, pushing to finish the play.
Corsairs’ Whitlock and Luke took control for the final points of the second set, placing the ball in areas the Renegades weren’t positioned. The Corsairs lead the second set 25-16.
MB’s Lankton from the Corsairs and Watts from the Renegades battled it out for middle kills back-to-back in the third set, with Lankton being more successful in gaining points for SMC. Sophomore RS hitter Holly MacGaffey from the Corsairs, along with Whitlock, held power from the service line as well as helped out on defense in the back row, assisting each other.
“I feel like our team was very cohesive, we played really well,” said Antione-Dillon after the game. “I think we ran a lot of different plays which worked in our favor, and I think overall we left the team a little bit confused, and that was how we won the game.”
The Corsairs went on for their latest win against Citrus College on Friday, Oct. 3, finishing 25-17, 25-20, 25-22, and now holding a 14-4 record and on their fifth consecutive win.
The next home game for the Corsairs will be Friday, Oct. 10, at 6 p.m. after their game on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at College of the Canyons.