Cats win sixth straight

The Saddleback women's volleyball team improved to 6-0 in Orange Empire Conference play with a 3-0 victory over Riverside City College on Friday night in Riverside.  The Bobcats are now 10-3 overall.

Saddleback made quick work of RCC, winning in three straight and cruising through the last two games of the night. 

The Bobcats and Tigers went back and forth in the opening set.  RCC jumped out to a 3-1 lead and the Bobcats battled back to score five of the next six points to take the lead.  Riverside had a 17-16 lead late in the set when Saddleback finally made its move.  The Bobcats reeled off six of seven points to take a 22-18 lead.  In the middle of the rally was Cori Willcoxson, who had a kill and a service ace to start the rally.  The rush of energy was too much for Riverside as Saddleback finished off the set with a 25-22 win.

Saddleback cruised through the final two sets, 25-17 and 25-14.  They used a number of long streaks in the process.  The Bobcats had an 10-1 run in set two and an 8-1 run in set three.

Saddleback hit .288 as a team on the night, with Lulu Utterback leading the team with 15 kills.  Meg Gardner had another big night, finishing with 12 kills, six digs and two service aces.  Sophie Vienna was on her game, finishing with 39 assists while Willcoxson led the team with 11 digs and four service aces. 

Saddleback (10-3, 6-0) has now won six straight games to open Orange Empire Conference (OEC) play.  It is the longest winning streak since last season when the Bobcats won seven straight games.  Saddleback sits atop the OEC standings, one game in front of Riverside City and Orange Coast. 

Saddleback hosts Orange Coast on Wednesday night inside the gymnasium at 6:00 PM.