CYPRESS, CA- The Cypress women's volleyball team (9-2, 1-0 OEC) began their Orange Empire Conference Title defense with a four-set victory over district rival Fullerton College (4-7, 0-1 OEC) in Friday night's home opener.

The Chargers got off to a slow start as the Hornets took the first set, 25-16. Cypress began to find their rhythm at the start of the second set, when Freshman Bethany Ma'ae made the kill to give Cypress their first lead of the match. Then the Chargers found their spark as Freshman Jubilee Allen put down one of her eight kills on the night to put the Chargers ahead 14-11 and force a Hornets timeout. After the break, the Hornets refused to give up and evened the score. Yet, Fullerton dropped two serves and the Chargers were back on top, 23-21. Sophomore Kaelie Tulette hit the ball down the middle around Hornets blockers to get Cypress to set point. Tulette served the ace to win the set, 25-22.

The match was tied 1-1 heading into the third set and the Chargers wasted no time taking the lead, 7-2. Cypress middle blocker Jubilee Allen portrayed great defensive effort on the front line with back to back blocks that led the Chargers to take control of the set, 11-4. Cypress maintained the lead over Fullerton and won the set with an explosive kill by Shayna Martinez, 25-18.

The Hornets were still looking to battle as they went on a 4-0 run to start the fourth set. The outstanding defensive presence of libero, Zoe Munn, continued in the fourth set as back-to-back diving digs brought back the Chargers, 6-7. Martinez added pressure with a kill to tie the set at 8 a-piece, before freshman Kaitlyn Emma Casino added a kill to break the draw. Cypress took control as they continued to grow their lead and secure the home victory. 

UP NEXT: The Chargers travel to Santa Ana College on Wednesday, September 21 to battle the Dons at 6:00pm.

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