The Warrior women’s volleyball team improved its record to 4-0 after going undefeated with Ashleigh Gideon leading the way in the EC Classic on Sept. 11.
“(Ashley) has really improved on her defense with her digs and her hitting,” coach LeValley Pattison said.
Gideon led with 16 kills and 20 digs. Kayelani Tanuvasa added 17 digs and 54 assists. Sarah Prather and Hattie Waybright combined for 31 kills.
Kiley Tamblyn added 48 digs, while Donella Didomenico rounded out the day with 27 assists.
The Warriors played College of the Canyons in the first game of the day and went on to win 25-18, 26-24 and 25-21. Though the scores showed victory, the Warriors weren’t entirely happy with their play in the first game.
“We came out flat in the first game. We had no energy and it showed,” Tamblyn said.
The Warriors cannot overlook any team, however, because on any given day anyone can win.
“I think we might have looked past Canyons and were looking ahead at the Pierce game, and as a young team we can’t look past anyone,” Pattison said.
EC played Los Angeles Pierce College in the second game of the EC Classic before a packed crowd. The majority of EC’s football team was there to support their fellow Warriors with loud cheers and screams. The final score of the first set ending up being 25-13.
“We came out with some energy and that’s what the difference was between the first game and the beginning of the second game,” Gideon said.
The Warriors were off to a great start in the second game, but things took a quick turn when they gave up a six-point lead as Pierce went up 23-21.
EC came back to tie it up at 23-23, and after an intense rally with some key digs, L.A Pierce took the lead at 25-24.
After a timeout was called, the Warriors made a competitive comeback and won, 27-25.
“Coach brought us in and told us to relax. I went out there and just wanted the ball,” Prather said.
The constant play and energy of Tamblyn has really helped this young team.
“Kiley really picked us up in the second set. She just brings so much energy and just knows what to say,” Gideon said.
The third set was a different story as Pierce took an early 4-2 lead. After some giving and taking, the Warrios would get within two as the score was 10-8.
Two EC kills and a Pierce error gave the Warriors the lead at 11-10. A kill and an EC block extended the Warriors’ lead to 21-15. After some exchanges of points, a L.A Pierce error gave the Warriors the win with a score of 25-19.
“The big difference in the third set was changing up the line up,” Prather said.
The women will next compete in the San Diego Mesa College Invitational Tournament this weekend, competing against a host of other schools including Pierce and Long Beach City.