Beach Volleyball: Bottom three come through for Rio Hondo in win

Despite cold and windy conditions, Rio Hondo pulled out a 3-2 win over Orange Coast College.
Despite cold and windy conditions, Rio Hondo pulled out a 3-2 win over Orange Coast College.

It's not always sunny at the beach as was the case for Rio Hondo College on Wednesday in its non-conference match against Orange Coast College in Huntington Beach. But under cold and windy conditions, the Roadrunners persevered and came out on top in a big 3-2 win over the Pirates at the Newland Volleyball Courts.

It was bottom of the Rio Hondo College lineup, including a huge win at No. 4 doubles, that secured the team victory.

After dropping matches at No. 1 and No. 2, the duo of Felipa Moreno and Denyse Perez earned a 21-19, 21-13 win at No. 3 over OCC's Hannah Reid and Shannon Stone. Then, the No. 5 team of Nicole Vasquez and Mia Ponce kept Rio Hondo's hopes alive with a 21-19, 21-15 victory over the Pirates' Lily Johnson and L. Lucrezia.

It all came down to a marathon match at No. 4. After dropping the opening set 20-22 to OCC's Raigan Ramos and Hally Herder, the Rio Hondo team of Evelyn Alferez and Alejandra Lopez rallied back with 21-14 and 15-12 wins to give the Roadrunners the match victory.

"It was up to our 4's to close out the match," said head coach Teddi Esko. "By Set 3, both Rio Hondo and OCC teammates gathered around the court to support their teammates, with all the pressure on them to determine the match.  Evelyn and Alejandra played with such confidence and control, they pulled out the big win."

Complete match results are below:

The win improved Rio Hondo to 3-0 overall this season. The Roadrunners return to the courts on Friday (Feb. 22) for a trio of matches at El Camino College. Rio Hondo will take on Fullerton College, Golden West College, and host El Camino.

Doubles

Orange Coast

Rio Hondo

Winner

Score

No. 1

Kacey Mathieson

Stephanie Perez

OCC

21-7, 21-17

 

Bailey Coffin

Mara Sanchez

 

 

No. 2

Rylee Adair

Gabrielle Cruz

OCC

21-14, 21-16

 

Mackenzie Bill

Janine Coria

 

 

No. 3

Hannah Reid

Felipa Moreno

RIO

21-19, 21-13

 

Shannon Stone

Denyse Perez

 

 

No. 4

Raigan Ramos

Evelyn Alferez

RIO

20-22, 21-14, 15-12

 

Hally Herder

Alejandra Lopez

 

 

No. 5

Lily Johnson

Nicole Vasquez

RIO

21-19, 21-15

 

L Lucrezia

Mia Ponce