Owls Shock State #19 Bakersfield College in Straight Sets

Glendora, CA -- Coming into Wednesday night's WSC South meeting with State #19 Bakersfield College, you had to know that things weren't going to be easy for the Renegades. No matter the records of each team, the two schools typically play each other tough in the Owls' Nest and Wednesday night was no different, when Citrus shocked the Renegades in straight sets.

The first set was tight from the jump, with the score being knotted up at 11 midway through, and Citrus holding a slim 12-13 lead shortly thereafter. Citrus would use a big run to distance themselves from the Renegades going up 23-15 and 24-19, but the Owls couldn't close Bakersfield out. The Renegades would end up tying the match up at 24-24, but Citrus finally closed out the set with an ace by sophomore Jacqueline Medina and an attack error by the Renegades that made it 26-24 in favor of the Owls.

The second set played out much like the first set early on. Midway through though, the Owls started to gain some separation from the Renegades. With Citrus leading 20-11, Bakersfield made one last desperation run, cutting the Owls lead down to four at 23-19. Back to back kills by sophomore Erin Murphy dashed all hopes of a Renegade comeback though as Citrus won 25-19.

In the final set, Bakersfield kept it tight until the end. The set would be tied 18-18, and Bakersfield even took a 20-18 lead after a kill and an error by the Owls. Citrus closed out the set on a tear though, getting kills by freshman Brianna Olvera and sophomore Samantha Jape and a six errors by the Renegades to secure the 25-20 win.

In the win, Citrus was paced by Jape's match high 11 kills. Jape also led the way with a .455 kill percentage on the evening. Medina proved to be sensational as well with a career and match high 28 digs. Olvera chipped in with nine kills, while Murphy added seven. Rounding out the superlatives was sophomore setter Jackie Hall who handed out a team high 15 assists.

With the win, Citrus improved to 5-11 overall and 2-3 in WSC play. The Owls will be on the road this Friday when they travel to Antelope Valley College for a 6:00 PM match.