Cerritos Calif.- The Cypress College women's volleyball team (6-3) earned a 1st place finish at the Cerritos Tournament this past weekend. The Chargers went 4-1 in their five matches at Cerritos College, splitting their two Friday matches (1-1) and winning their remaining three matches on Saturday to bring home the championship.
3-0 Win vs. San Bernardino 9/11
The Chargers opened up the Cerritos tournament with a 3-0 sweep of San Bernardino (25-18, 25-20, 25-8). San Bernardino kept it close in the first two sets but the Chargers were able to keep command thanks to 8 Kills from freshman Nicole Mankey and 24 assists from sophomore Pamela Fa'Alata. Cypress dominated the final set and picked up a big opening game win over SBVC.
2-3 Loss vs. Canyons 9/11
Cypress went in to match two on Friday feeling confident after their earlier sweep but would fall to Canyons after a tough five set battle (15-25, 26-24, 18-25, 26-24, 11-15). Neither team was able to capture any momentum and win back-to-back sets. The Chargers put up a great fight but had some trouble dealing with Canyons freshman Emily Bible, who led the match with 27 kills. Chargers sophomore Madison May made her presence felt with 17 kills of her own but a few late mistakes would ultimately lead to the Chargers first loss of the tournament.
3-0 Win vs. Orange Coast 9/12
In match three, the Chargers got an early test against conference opponent Orange Coast. Cypress came out firing and dominated the Pirates in a 3-0 sweep (25-15, 25-15, 25-13). This time freshman outside hitter Raquel Medina stepped up for the Chargers to lead the way with 9 kills and sophomore setter, Pamela Fa'Alata, led the Chargers with 28 assists.
3-0 Win vs. Cerritos 9/12
In match four Cypress College went up against the undefeated host, Cerritos College, in the tournament semifinal. The Chargers full arsenal was on display as they swept their way past the Falcons (25-18, 25-10, 25-18). Outside hitter Madison May continued her dominance, collecting 11 kills while Pamela Fa'Alata had 26 assists. The Chargers were also great defensively in the semifinal match with Jazmyn Covington and Rockelle Gholson protecting the net and earning two blocks each.
3-1 Win vs. El Camino 9/12
The Chargers went in to the championship match fresh off of two straight sweeps on the day and got off to a slow start, dropping the first set to El Camino before regaining control and winning the championship match in four sets (23-25, 25-17, 25-23, 25-18). The Cypress College outside hitters put on a show with Madison May adding 16 more kills to her tournament total and Raquel Medina adding 14 kills. Freshman Emily Witz led the Chargers with 12 digs and Pamela Fa'Alata had her second highest assist total of the tournament with 42 assists.
Star outside hitter Madison May was named the Cerritos Tournament Most Valuable Player as the Chargers moved to a solid 6-3 on the season. Cypress will be back in action on Wednesday, September 16th in a rematch of the tournament championship on the road against El Camino.
