Gauchos earn first OEC win in beach

The Saddleback women's beach volleyball program picked up its first conference victory on Friday with a 3-2 win over Santa Ana College at Irvine Valley College.  The Gauchos ended up splitting on the day, falling to IVC later in the day.

Saddleback started the season having never won a single set after a rugged first year of competition in 2016.  They ended that streak on opening day when they took a set from San Diego Mesa College.  Saddleback then won its first ever match two weeks later when they defeated College of the Desert, 5-0. 

Saddleback can now claim its first ever win in Orange Empire Conference play after defeating Santa Ana on Friday, 3-2.  The Gauchos won on courts two, four and five to improve to 1-4 in conference play.  Saddleback trailed 2-1 before winning with Kelcy Schumacher and Stevie Wenzel (pictured) on court four to even the match.  The duo of Morgan Hocker and Courtney Rose then rallied from a 6-10 deficit on court two to win, securing the first OEC victory in program history.

Saddleback fell to Irvine Valley, 3-2, later in the day.  The Gauchos are now 2-9 overall and 1-5 in Orange Empire Conference play. 

Saddleback will finish the conference schedule at Fullerton College (0-12, 0-5) next Friday.  Match time is scheduled for 10:00 AM in Fullerton.