Beach volleyball gets first program win
The Saddleback women's beach volleyball program scored a win this past week when they defeated College of the Desert, 5-0, at Grossmont College. It was the first win in program history for the Gauchos.
Saddleback started beach volleyball last spring and went through some growing pains in year one. Earlier this spring they won their first game in program history and now they can celebrate their first team (match) win after the defeat of the Roadrunners.
Morgan Hocker and Courtney Rose combined for a 21-16, 22-20 win at No. 1 to get Saddleback out of the gate with a lead. Kelli Dowell and Avie Butsko followed with a 21-17, 21-11 win at No. 2. The Gauchos kept rolling with a 24-22, 21-17 win at No. 3 from Mandy Sides and Kelcy Schumacher, clinching the team win. Landry Armstrong and Lauren Whitehouse then continued the roll with a marathon, three-set win. The duo lost the opening game 18-21 before rallying for a 21-15 win in game two. They then dominating the third set tiebreaker, 15-2. Mariah Torres and Keara O'Brien-Pol finished off Desert with a 22-20, 21-14 win at No. 5.
"It was a solid performance by the ladies," head coach Brian Hughes said. "Hopefully we can use this win to spark some momentum in future matches."
Saddleback is now 1-4 on the season and starts Orange Empire Conference play on Friday, March 31 at Riverside City College. The Gauchos will face both RCC and Golden West on the 31st.