The LBCC women’s volleyball team swept Rio Hondo in three sets on Friday to extend their winning streak to 11 games and keep their undefeated season status alive.
Sophomore opposite hitter Alanna Jones led the offense with 10 kills while Ryannah Gagau and Jubilee Allen both had 8.
Tainea Allen contributed with 7 kills of her own, while Alexandra Rosquin and Tyreana Allen combined for 6. Hadassah Odeyale, Danika Iosua, and Cynthia Hinojosa each had one.
Overall, head coach Tyler Jackson was proud of the way her team executed their game plan, especially while missing key starter Enaya Vaielua.
“We’ve been practicing a lot of different plays at practice but today one of our main starters was out. So just being able to execute what they’ve learned without one of our starters says a lot about these girls,” Jackson said.
In the first set, the Vikings started a bit slow but quickly established a 5-0 run to make the score 15-5.
After Rio Hondo was able to score four more points the Vikings picked up the pace and ended the set with a sizable 25-9 win.
Even though the first set started a little shaky for the Vikings, Freshman setter Camille Agrupis said their constant communication on the court helps them re-establish their rhythm and keep them competitive.
“There was a lot of communication on the court. I had a lot of communication with my middle. I had somewhat of a struggle in the first set but as we kept communicating I eventually got the connection stable,” Agrupis said.
She attributed the team’s success this season to their chemistry during intense moments of play and their willingness to help each other out when they’re struggling on the court.
“I always talk to my teammates and we can see it on each other’s faces when we need each other and they’re like ‘Hey I’m right here I got you on this next set, don’t worry about it’. I mean my teammate AJ was there for me today. She knows I was struggling a little bit and I love that she was there to help,” Agrupis said.
In the second set, the Vikings went on an early 7-0 run to make the score 12-3 with the help of three aces by Ryannah Gagau.
The Vikings also intensified their defensive effort in the second set. The team only allowed Rio Hondo 7 points, the lowest score in the entire game.
The Road Runners had no answer for sophomore Kaylani Moncada who led the Vikings with a team-high 13 digs and 4 assists to seal the lead.
The Vikings ended the second set with a 25-7 victory after a huge kill by Alanna Jones.
Set three was a little more competitive in the beginning but a 6-0 Vikings run made the score 9-3. Rio Hondo would only score 7 more points before the Vikings completed the sweep with a 25-10 score.
After the game, Moncada said that the team has a couple of pre-game exercises they do that help them stay calm during intense moments on the court.
“An hour before our game days we all have a meeting and we do mental exercises and that helps us a lot. So that transfers to our games and it keeps us calm. We all pray together too and I think that’s the top thing that keeps us calm,” Moncada said.
Coach Jackson said she’s excited about next week’s game versus Mt. Jacinto and she and the team will be preparing early for it.
The Vikings’ next home game will be on October 4th against L.A. Harbor at 6 pm.