The El Camino College women’s volleyball team defeated Long Beach City College to earn its 10th straight South Coast Conference championship at LBCC Hall of Champions Gymnasium on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

“This means a lot to us and the volleyball program [at ECC] because we have a history against Long Beach as our rivals,” Warriors’ athletic director Colin Preston said. “This win propels our program to a higher level and I give all the credit to the amazing coaches of the volleyball team and the excellent student athletes we have.”

The Warriors claimed their third straight conference title under current coach Liz Hazell.

“It was nice that we took care of business in the regular season and remained strong throughout,” Hazell said “I think it is going to be very good for our seeding and necessary confidence going into the playoffs.”

Warriors’ outside hitter Mikayla Clark led the Warriors with 18 kills and 14 digs for a double-double. While ECC teammate Ginia Goods added 12 kills.

After losing the first set 25-22 the Warriors won the next three sets all in a nail-biting fashion (25-22, 25-21, 25-23). LBCC’s star Brooke Earkman played every minute of the game finishing with a game-high 28 kills and 28 digs.

“We have to work on everything,” Vikings’ assistant coach Butch May said. “Our play was terrible and we couldn’t execute on the necessary things to win the game.”

Warriors’ setter Caitlin Donatucci provided 42 assists adding to her season total of 976 assists. Donatucci is 148 assists away from tying Samantha Taylor’s 2008 record for most assists in a single-season at ECC.

ECC defensive specialist Kelly Donatucci led the defense for the Warriors with 31 digs as opposite hitter Jessica Villasenor and outside hitter Cassidy Crosby added 15 digs each.

“It feels great, I feel like we have been working really hard,” Opposite hitter Jocelyn Lacroix said. “Through all the hard work and dedication we really deserve it.”