Riverside Returns Home in Winning Fashion After Two-Year Absence

It was the first time in nearly two years that Wheelock Gymnasium welcomed any fans through the two sets of sturdy, glass doors. The walls reverberated with the cheers of Tiger faithful that were supporting the Riverside City College women's indoor volleyball team on their hunt for their second-straight win as they faced off against the crosstown rival San Bernardino Valley College Wolverines.

The Tigers were far from perfect, but formidable play down the stretch ousted the Wolverines in three sets by finals set scores reading 25-23, 25-16, 25-11.

Riverside got stronger as the match progressed as seen in a hitting percentage over .200 in the second and third sets. While the third set score saw the largest difference, it was the second set that saw RCC boast a match-high .250 hitting percentage.

Freshman Maggie Aburto constructed a career-high night by hammering home a game-high 11 kills on a team-leading 27 attempts. In five-career games, the freshman swinger has tallied six or more kills with four of the games totaling 20 or more attempts. She has proven to be an offensive highlight early on.

Additionally, Aburto paced the defense with nine digs and two blocks. At the net, she relied on sophomore Keeley Hober as she tallied a team-high four stuffs to go along with seven kills.

Sophomore Miranda Gates matched Hober's offensive output with seven kills to match her season high mark. It was her second-consecutive match where she recorded seven kills. She has earned six or more kills in all but one match so far this season. 

Freshman Chloe Christelman was the go-to setter as seen in a career-high 12 assists. Sophomore Hailey Gray tallied eight assistes accompanied by four digs and two aces, while sophomore Molly Watson followed with seven assists and seven digs.

Freshman Ashley Elias-Romero put together her best showing of the season with six digs and an ace, while freshman Kennidy Martin found the hardwood on two serves.

Riverside (2-3) will host Cerro Coso at home tomorrow at 5 p.m. Fans are welcome and a live stream will be available on Riverside Athletics YouTube channel.

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