The Citrus College women’s volleyball team gave its all in an effort to protect itself against the onslaught of Antelope valley. Citrus’ Volleyball head coach, Coach Jung said, “I think the preparation was there for us the whole match, there wasn’t much to make adjustments to, they just played better than us.”
Early in the first match Citrus player Nia Nix spiked the ball almost every volley, racking up multiple points.
Due to an impressive display of athleticism from Nix, the Citrus Owls found themselves in the lead early in the match, 10-8.
However the two point tear came to a screeching halt due to a mistake made during a Citrus volley, costing them a point.
Following this mistake was a series of missed spikes and serves putting Antelope Valley in the lead towards the end of the first match, 21-19.
Antelope called their first time out.
After a long rally and numerous joust saves at the net, Citrus won the first match 25-19.
The second match began with Citrus scoring the first point due to a fallen ball at the joust. The Owls went on to score two points in quick succession: one from a hard spike from Nix and a miss from Antelope Valley’s Kierra Roberts.
After this mistake, Antelope Valley changed their momentum. They blocked and saved the ball with renewed vigor. Antelope Valley’s Cassidy Sanchez was seen yelling to her teammates to score more points.
Citrus’ Aaliyah Robles was hit in the face with the ball and was taken out of the game.
The second match was close in score due to serving and blocking mistakes from both teams.
However Antelope still managed to pick up the match win, 25-23.
Citrus began the third match playing lethargically and it did not pay off.
Despite some hard spikes from Nix and Summer Edington the score was 9-18 and Citrus’ frustration became evident through the way they played.
Citrus tried to close the score gap but the onslaught from Antelope Valley was harder to fight against and the third match went to Antelope.
The fourth match was a struggle for both sides.
There were saves and hard spikes from both teams. Citrus fought harder this match and it showed when the score was even for most of the match.
Close to the end of the fourth match, the score was a tense 22-21 Antelope Valley in the lead.
Nix rallied with Antelope Valley by scoring back and forth, bringing the final score to 25-23, Citrus.
In the fifth and final match Citrus was demolished.
Antelope Valley was able to score 8 points before Citrus was able to steal one.
The match was over from the beginning.
Antelope Valley did not slow or cease power in their spikes and they were able to perform clutch digs one after the other.
The match finished out 15-4, with Antelope taking the overall win in the set of matches.
The Owls were prepared though they did not come out with the win.
“They have a pretty good team and it’s going to be a task for us to go up against them next round,” Jung said.
