Bobcats claw back at Lasers

The Saddleback women's volleyball team picked up its biggest win of the season with a 3-2 victory at Irvine Valley College on Wednesday in Irvine.  The Bobcats battled back from a 2-0 deficit to stun the Lasers.

Saddleback entered the contest on Wednesday as heavy underdogs with Irvine Valley ranked No. 9 in the state in the latest California Community College Women's Volleyball Coaches Association (CCCWVBCA) Rankings and the Bobcats entering the contest unranked.  That could change next week after Saddleback rallied to shock their inter-district rivals.

Saddleback stormed back, winning in set three 25-21 and set four 25-22 to set up a race to 15 in set five in a winner-take-all scenario.  With the Bobcats trailing 11-10 in the decisive set, Saddleback scored five of the next six points to turn back their rivals. 

Sydney Brown led the team with 19 kills in 38 attempts.  Logan Daniels played well throughout, finishing with 45 assists and 12 digs.

It was the second straight win for Saddleback over Irvine Valley, as the Bobcats beat the Lasers at the end of the 2021 campaign under similar circumstances.  

Saddleback is now 10-2 overall and 3-2 in Orange Empire Conference (OEC) play following the win.  The Bobcats are tied with Santa Ana College for third place in the OEC standings.

Saddleback will play again on Friday when they host Riverside City College inside the gymnasium.  The Bobcats and Tigers are scheduled to start at 6:00 PM.