Four points was the biggest difference at the end of each match in a competitive volleyball game between the Los Medanos College Mustangs and the Napa Valley College Storm.
The crowd was pumped up and both teams were all over the court in this intense matchup.
Although LMC lost in three straight matches, the game was exciting from start to finish with each set being a toss up.
Napa edged out LMC 26-24, 25-21 and 25-22 respectively.
“We fought a little bit harder than we have before,” said Outside Hitter Stacie Gatison, adding, “we played as a team — we definitely talked more than we do on the normal.”
Despite losing, LMC’s hard work did not go unnoticed.
“They were definitely really scrappy, that’s one thing that kinda got us because they picked up most if not all of our tips,” said Gatison.
Taylor Scriven and Michelle Mayfield were crushing the ball as usual as they combined for 24 kills. However they also combined for 22 of the team’s 26 errors.
Scriven was also leading the in digs with 18. Setter Kiana Pinkowski was good across the board as she racked up 24 assists, six digs and six kills with only one error.
“We have a great setter. We wouldn’t be able to hit it. If it wasn’t for the passing,” said Outside Hitter Taylor Scriven
Stats were spread across the board for Napa, and everyone contributed. Carlina Quintero dominated in kills with 28, which was twice as many as the next person in the game.
The Mustangs started the year as a team who hadn’t played much together and had little experience, but Head Coach Lou Panzella has changed all that.
“The girls come into practice everyday, they work hard, they get better,” said Panzella.
LMC has improved so much that it even caught the eyes of their opponents.
“It was really fun to play this team, this team has improved ten-fold and they’re very talented…the first time we played them they weren’t even near this, now they’re ten-fold the team they were, so for us to win in three is big because that’s a damn good team,” said Napa Valley Head Coach Kelly Van Winden.
The Mustangs were in every match and at one point were only one point away from wining the first set.
“We didn’t get down, we just competed,” said Panzella adding, “I’m pleased with the effort the girls put in, I’m pleased with how hard we’re playing and that we’re competing and not getting down on each other.’”
LMC sits at 4-6 overall and 6-13 in conference. The team’s next home game is Friday Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. against the Laney College Eagles.