Collapse at Chaffey

Rancho Cucamonga, CA -- For a little over an hour on Wednesday evening, things looked good for the Citrus College Volleyball program in their season opener at Chaffey College. The Owls opened up strong in the first set and battled for a big win in the second set to take a commanding 2-0 lead. It didn't last though, as Citrus collapsed at Chaffey, losing in five sets.

Things really couldn't have gotten off to a better start for the Owls in the match, as Citrus scored the first eight points of the match, and controlled the tempo of the first set cruising to a 25-15 win. The Owls kept it going in the second set, building up a big early lead, only to watch a ferocious comeback by the Panthers, coming back from a 10 point deficit to rally to within one late. Ultimately though, the Owls prevailed, 25-23, but that may have been the turning point in the match.

In the third set, Chaffey flipped the script taking it 25-14. Things only got worse from there though as the Owls mustered just 12 points in the fourth set, and eight in the fifth and deciding frame.

Despite the disappointing loss, the Owls did have some positive news to hang their hats on. Sophomore Samantha Jape was strong in the opening match, leading the way for Citrus with 10 kills, and three blocks. Sophomore libero Jacqueline Medina dug up a team high 14 balls, while sophomore Jackie Hall came off the bench to hand out 13 assists and record three aces.

With the loss, Citrus drops to 0-1 on the season. The Owls will try and rally with a pair of matches this Friday as they participate in the Mt. San Antonio College triangular in Walnut. Citrus will take on the Mounties at 3:00 PM, and follow that up with a show down with College of the Desert at approximately 5:00 PM.