Digging Their Way Through It

Glendora, CA (Volleyball) -- The Citrus College Volleyball team, ranked #17 in the State, played host to State #23 College of the Canyons on Friday evening looking to avenge their earlier loss to the Cougars. The Owls did just that, by digging their way through it, recording a season high 70 digs in a straight set sweep of Canyons.

The first game, set the tone for the Owls. The set would be tied a total of 13 times, and the lead would change hands on five other occasions. Most of the back and forth would take place early in the set, until the Cougars seemingly took control by using a 7-1 run that got them two within two point of winning the first set at 23-15.

That all changed quickly though, as Canyons fell apart committing four errors in the next five points that allowed Citrus to get back within two points at 23-21. After a Canyons timeout the Owls kept the momentum going getting a kill from freshman Kayla Eddings, another Cougar error and a kill from freshman setter Amanda Stone when she dumped the ball into empty space on the opposite side of the court to make it 24-23 Citrus.

Canyons would respond with a score to tie it up 24-24, but Eddings got another kill to make it 25-24. Canyons answered with a kill of their own to tie it back up, but Citrus surged ahead after yet another Eddings kill. A service error from Eddings let Canyons tie it back up at 26 all, but this time the Owls didn't give the lead away as the next two points came from a Canyons error and a kill from sophomore Kimberly Collins to put away the first set 28-26.

Despite the closing momentum from Citrus in that first set, it was the Cougars who would run out to an early 9-6 lead. The Owls answered though with six unanswered points, taking a 12-9 after a couple of aces from freshman Makoto Toyama and another Canyons attack error. Citrus controlled things the rest of the way, outscoring Canyons 13-7 en route to a 25-17 victory that was again brought home by a kill from Kimberly Collins.

In the third and final set, the Cougars didn't go away quietly. They scored the first three points of the set and led till, the Owls took the lead back midway through at 16-15 after an ace from sophomore Kassidy Greenberg. Citrus would extend their lead to four points at 23-19 after an exclamation point from Collins. Canyons didn't fold though scoring four straight to tie the game up at 23-23. Collins and Greenberg closed it out though with back to back kills, as Citrus won 25-23.

In the win, Citrus was led by sophomore Alexis Lunney who had a team high 11 kills to go along with 9 for Collins. The Owls had four players with at least 8 digs in the win, including freshman Maria Medrano who had a personal season high 12 and sophomore Breanna Stone who had 10. Freshman Makoto Toyama led the way in that department though as she dug up 18 balls which was a season high for any Owl in a three set match this year.

With the win, Citrus improves to 11-7 on the season and 5-3 in Western State Conference South Division play. More importantly the win helps Citrus keep place for the second place spot in conference play with both Canyons and Bakersfield College. The Owls will be on the road next Wednesday to take on Bakersfield for sole possession of second place and the second automatic berth from the conference. The match is set for a 7:00 PM start time.