Getting Closer

Costa Mesa, CA - The Citrus College Volleyball team came home winless again on Friday afternoon when they travelled to Orange Coast College for the triangular hosted by the Pirates. Still the Owls got closer as they took Southwestern College to five sets and also the host team in perennial contended Orange Coast College. 

 The Owls opened the day up against the Jaguars of Southwestern. Citrus dropped the first two sets 25-21 and 28-26. Citrus found a second gear in the next two sets though cruising to 25-17 and 25-16 victories. In the fifth and deciding set Citrus ran out of gas, falling to Southwestern 15-13. 

Sophomore Paige Madkin led all of the Owls efforts with a team high 19 kills and a team best 9 digs. Freshmen Leah Price and Amanda Belzl each had 10 a piece, with Price adding seven digs. Freshman Marissa Underwood pitched in with 8 digs, while freshman setter Moriah Gordon handed out 34 assists.

In the second match of the day against the tough Orange Coast team, the Owls kept the momentum from the conclusion of the Southwestern match into the contest with the Pirates. Citrus won the first set 25-18, but dropped the second set 25-21. The Owls would rally in the third with a 25-23 victory, but Orange Coast went on to take the match with wins in the fourth and fifth sets 25-15 and 15-12. 

In the loss, Price pounded home 18 kills, adding nine digs, a solo block, and a pair of block assists. Madkin added 8 kills, while Belzl had 7. Underwood led the Owls defensive effort with 13 digs, while Gordon handed out 35 assists. 

With the two losses, Citrus drops to 0-6 on the year. The Owls will be back out on the court this coming Wednesday when they take part in another triangular at Riverside City College. Citrus will take on Mt. San Antonio College in the opening match at 5:00 PM before tangling with the host Tigers at approximately 7:00 PM.