Hawks tied atop GSAC after victory

2021 SAN DIEGO CHRISTIAN HAWKS WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

ECS staff report

EL CAJON – What does the San Diego Christian College women’s volleyball team hold in common with Westmont, the nation’s 4th-ranked program in the NAIA?

Try that the teams share first place in the Golden State Athletic Conference.

The Hawks (4-3, 1-0 GSAC West) opened conference play with a four-set triumph over Hope International University, 25-20, 25-18, 22-25, 250-18. Meanwhile, Westmont’s Warriors took out Vanguard in three straight sets in Tuesday’s (Feb. 15) action.

Much like San Diego Christian’s season, which has alternated wins and losses in all seven matches, the first set went back-and-forth. But in the second set, the Hawks took control on a series of kills by kills by Aixa Crespo, Jessica Pinasco, and Isabella Marshall to take over the match, held at the Salvation Army gymnasium.

The Royals rallied from a 6-10 deficit to barely take the third set, but the SDCC starters returned to close out the victory in Set No. 4.

A key move saw Hawks head coach Gene Krieger insert Ariana Velasquez to serve, as she rattled off nine consecutive points to take over. She responded with five aces, while three near service reception errors led to three attack errors in attempts to simply get the ball over the net.

Velasquez, a senior setter from Long Beach, finished with six aces and 12 digs to again highlights a strong defensive effort.

On the attack, Pinasco and Crespo led SDCC with 13 kills, while Breanna Brooks added 10 put-aways.

San Diego Christian next meets Hope International in Fullerton on Thursday, starting at 3 p.m. to cap the home-and-away series.