Chargers Come Out Strong in Conference Opener

Cypress- Cypress College (10-5, 1-0) opened up their conference run with a victory over the Fullerton College Hornets (5-3, 0-1) on Friday night, winning 3-1 (20-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-16). Sophomore setter Pam Fa'Alata controlled the game with ease, setting up 43 assists to compliment 2 aces and 5 digs. The Chargers performed well in containing the Hornet's attack as Freshmen Raquel Medina, Emily Witz, and Dominique Parker combined for 24 digs. Sophomore Madison May led the team with 17 kills while Medina contributed 11 more.

The opening set did not go in Cypress' favor. After Cypress jumped to a 4-0 lead, the Hornets athleticism was in full effect as they came back to tie the game. The two teams were neck and neck at 15-15 until the Hornets leaped to an 18-15 lead. Fullerton continued to capitalize on Cypress' errors and took the first set 25-20.

The Chargers recuperated in the second set and prevented the Hornets from finding clean opportunities to attack. Tied at 8, the Chargers went on a three-point run thanks to some tricky serving by freshman Demi Nicholson. Down 20-15, the Hornets called a timeout, but it did not hurt the Chargers momentum. Cypress went on a run and took a 23-17 lead thanks to Fa'Alata's dump shot. However, the Hornets went on a three-point rally to tighten the game, but the Chargers finished off the set 25-20 after a timeout by head coach Nancy Welliver.

Cypress College seemed more composed in the third set, containing Fullerton's attack and cruising to a 25-18 win. The Chargers opened up with a 9-3 lead, but the Hornets came back to trail 10-8. The two teams went back and forth as Cypress held onto their 2-point lead, but broke through at 13-11 with two consecutive points to extend the lead 15-11. The Chargers never looked back and cruised to take a 2-1 lead at the end of the third set.

The fourth set went in a similar fashion as Dominique Parker's strategic serving sparked a four-point run to give Cypress an 11-7 lead. The Chargers frustrated Fullerton's attack, coming up with timely receptions and blocks to prevent any momentum. Eventually the Chargers pulled away with a 25-16 win to take the match 3-1.

Cypress College will face Orange Coast College next Wednesday, October 7th at 6:00 PM. They will play their next home game the following Friday, October 9th against Santa Ana College.