Women’s Volleyball: Viking rally falls short, lose five-set match to Mt. SAC

The Long Beach City College women's volleyball team suffered a heart breaking five-set loss to visiting Mt. San Antonio College in a South Coast Conference match on Friday night. Mt. SAC won the match by scores of 25-18, 25-18, 23-25, 23-25, and 15-6.

The loss dropped Long Beach to 10-9 overall and 5-6 in the SCC. Mt. SAC, ranked No. 15 in the state, improved to 14-7 overall and 8-3 in conference play.

Mt. SAC edged Long Beach in the first two sets before the Vikings turned the tables on the Mounties with wins in set three and four. Freshman outside hitter Raegan Heitzig posted eight of her match-high 21 kills in set four to send Long Beach to a deciding fifth set.

But in the fifth, the Vikings opened the set by committing five straight hitting errors to give the Mounties an early lead they wouldn't give up. Mt. SAC led 8-2 before switching sides on the court and continued to cruise to the win.

"If only we could have those first five points back," said LBCC coach Teila Robertson. "I'm proud of this team. They battled and never gave up."

Heitzig provided most of the offense for the Vikings. Along with her 21 kills, she hit .308 on the night and accounted for 22.5 of LBCC's 66 points.

Sophomore Megann Capic totaled 28 digs, while sophomore Cashmere Santos had 25 assists and 14 digs. Sophomore Audris Leiataua posted five kills and five blocks and sophomore Seferina Starks chipped in with 11 digs and seven kills.

Erica Chavez totaled 13 kills to lead the Mounties. She also added 27 assists and three blocks. Jessica Zerrudo posted a team-best 24 digs.

Long Beach returns to action on Wednesday (Nov. 10) when it travels to L.A. Harbor College for a 6 pm SCC match.