The women’s volleyball team lost to Chemeketa Community College in a competitive three set match at the Riverhawks nest Friday, Oct. 28. UCC lost all three sets in the match 25-18, 25-22 and 26-24; however, the match was more compelling than the final scores indicate.
In set one, the Riverhawk women started off slow but managed to keep it close after notching only five kills on 31 total attempts and committing eight errors in the set for a set percentage of -.097. The Riverhawk women couldn’t fully recover from the slow start and dropped the set.
In set two, UCC started off the set much faster and kept the set neck and neck all the way until the final points were scored. UCC showed resiliency and confidence, and the team collectively had 16 kills in the set on 40 total attempts bringing their set percentage up to .225. The teams then took a short intermission before the third set.
In the final set, UCC once again showed they can compete. The set went down to the wire, and UCC looked as though they were going to win the third set but fell just short for the closing points. The Riverhawk women showed even with their backs against the wall trying to come back from two sets to none that they would not go down quietly.
Outside hitter Viviana Rodriguez had nine kills on 26 total attempts for an individual hit percentage of .192. Rodriguez stayed motivated being down to sets to none and said, “[I think about] just taking it one point at a time.”
Outside hitter Olivia Gulliford also stayed motivated with her team being down two sets to none and said, “We’ve done it before so we know we can do it, but we shouldn’t expect that. We gotta start off faster and stronger.” Gulliford had nine kills on 24 total attempts respectively.
Libero Kaysie Cornelio had 16 digs defensively and commented about her confidence being down two sets and said, “Even if we’re down two sets, it’s still a best of five game so we can still take it.” Cornelio continued to express confidence after the loss and showed determination that the team will grow. “We build off that because we know we’re close. We know we can do it and we don’t shy away from it.” Cornelio said.
The Riverhawk women will play their final away game of the season against Linn-Benton, a team currently undefeated at 36-0 in Albany, Oregon on Friday, Nov. 4. UCC’s next home game will be a double-header against Lane College and Shasta College at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5. UCC’s final home game of the season will be played against South Western Oregon Community College on Wednesday, Nov. 9.