Owls Dig Deep for Victory

Citrus College hosted Mt. San Jacinto College for a midday match Friday with the Owls pulling out a 3-1 win (25-22, 21-25, 25-22, 26-24).

The Owls improve to 5-6 while the Eagles drop to 7-4 on the year.

Two Owls finished the match in double-digit kills, led by Delaney Tate with 18 kills and a match-high 20 digs. Faith Evaro added 12 kills and Alexis Aguayo contributed 11 digs. Maritza Sanchez fueled the offense with 30 assists and Aniya Smith had four aces.

The battle started from the opening set. After Mt. San Jacinto tied the set 15-15, Tate smacked down a point to keep the Owls in front. It sparked a 6-0 spurt for Citrus to give the home team a 21-15 lead.

Mt. San Jacinto rallied to pull within two points, 21-19, but Citrus called a timeout, and kills from Evaro sealed the set win.

The Eagles responded with a 25-21 set two victory and grabbed the first lead of the set.

Trailing 9-8, the Owls put together a huge rally ending with a combo block from Gabriella Aguilar and Desiree Reyes to put some fire into Citrus.

The Owls took the lead, 12-11, and Evaro gave her team setpoint, 24-22, before Tate put the set away with a kill.

Determined to not let the match slip away, Citrus opened the fourth on a 6-1 run to jump out in front. The Eagles battled back, however, and led late in the set, 22-19.

One of Smith's aces tied the set up 22-22 and forced an Eagle timeout. Mt. San Jacinto scored the next point, but an Eagle service error and a big kill from Evaro sealed the set win to give the Owls the match victory.

Citrus next plays on Friday, Oct. 1, at Antelope Valley at 6:00 p.m.