Cats scratch way into first place

The Saddleback women's volleyball team swept past Riverside City College, 3-0, in Riverside on Wednesday night.  With the win, the Bobcats are now in first place with three games remaining in the regular season.

Saddleback wasted no time with Riverside on Wednesday, racing past the Tigers 25-17, 25-17, 25-8.  The Bobcats are now 16-4 overall and 11-2 in Orange Empire Conference play, one-half game ahead of Irvine Valley.

Saddleback fell behind early in set one on Wednesday as the Tigers scored the first three points of the game.  The Bobcats came storming back to win five of the next six points in turning around the momentum.  Eventually, Saddleback received seven kills from Stila Fresenius in the set in taking a 22-17 lead before RCC had three straight attacking errors to end the game.

Saddleback again fell behind in the second set when RCC took a 6-2 lead to start.  The Bobcats then ripped off 13 of the next 17 points in taking a lead they would never relinquish on way to another 25-17 win.

Saddleback stormed out to a 7-0 in the third and final set as Riverside City looked drained in the final game of the match.  At one point the Bobcats had an 11-0 run during the set in winning 25-8.

Saddleback was led by Fresenius, who finished with 21 kills and 24 digs for the night.  Olivia Gonzalez dished out 40 assists while Ella Barnard added 11 kills.

Saddleback will host Orange Coast College on Friday night, looking to extend a six game winning streak.  The Bobcats and Pirates are scheduled to start at 6:00 PM inside the gymnasium.