Coach Angela Rock said she liked the volleyball players she had this year. She just didn’t have enough.
SWC’s crew was tantalizing talented, and generally started matches strong only to wear down at the end. Rock did not become an Olympian by making excuses, just observations.
A tough loss to Imperial Valley College, was in many ways typical of Southwestern’s 6-13 overall record.
After a quick start, the Lady Jags won the first set 25-22. Then fatigue set in. With only one overloaded spike specialist in the game SWC became limited. IVC predicted SWC’s plays. IVC won the second set, 25-17.
“We didn’t have any substitutes,” she said. “Two girls quit and two others were ineligible because of grades.”
IVC had the advantage in terms of substitutes, but the Lady Jags would not go down without a fight. SWC started burying the ball where IVC players weren’t. The Lady Jags started using their three hits and scanned the other side of the court before spiking. SWC mixed their hits between dinks and spikes, and IVC was having a hard time reading the plays. The Lady Jags took the lead 22-20, but IVC went on to score five straight points to win the third set, 25-22.
In the fourth and final set IVC played faster and the tired Lady Jags could not keep up. IVC won the set, 25-23 and the game, 3-1.
The Lady Jags played San Diego City College during their last home game of the season.
SWC found themselves down early and for most of the set. The Lady Jags figured out a way to use their smaller roster to their advantage and won the set, 25-22.
The second set was similar to the first, right down to the winning of the set, 25-23. The Lady Jags were playing like conference champions, diving for saves and sending the ball to the empty spots on the other side of the court.
Then, once again, fatigue. SWC lost control of the third set and made a lot of unforced errors and lost the set, 25-20. But SWC was determined to win. The Lady Jags were behind most of the final set, but found a way to win, 25-19. The Lady Jags beat SDC, 3-1.
“We were prepared for them,” said Rock. “We prepared both physically and mentally we had some players rise to the occasion and we really believed in ourselves and finally came together as a team. I am extremely proud because it is hard to have a season like ours but to finish on a note like that it just turns everything around.”
Alejandra Puga agreed that the team did well.
“It feels good to win at home and for the sophomores,” she said. “It feels good to be back from my two game suspension. I’m really proud of all of the girls sticking together in this game.”
Women’s Volleyball played San Diego Mesa in the final game of the season. The Lady Jags were defeated 0-3
“We fought really hard,” said Noelani Napolean. “But we kind of gave up on ourselves the last two matches.”
The Lady Jags ended the season with a 6-13 record, and a 3-9-conference record.