Modesto, Ca

Week 8 of Big 8 Conference play was an exciting one. Pirates entered the week ranked NorCal T15 and 3-8 in conference play. On the week's schedule, Norcal 11 Folsom Lake and Norcal 9 (State 22) Sierra College. Pirates lost to both on the road in the first half of conference, 1-3 and 2-3 respectively.

Pirates have shown to be dominate on their home court (8-3 overall) and turned it on for the rematches with the Falcons and Wolverines, sweeping both 3-0.

Against the Falcons, the Pirates had the lead till the Falcons found some momentum in the third set. Start the set, MJC jumped to a 6-2 early lead. Falcons didn't let up and tied the set 7-7. Pirates call a time out but that didn't stop the Falcons who continued to add points to lead 12-8. Pirates call their second time out and regrouped. Pirates respond with a 6-1 point scoring run to force a Falcon time out at 14-13, Pirates lead. It was all Pirates after that. Pirates out scored the Falcons 11-6 to win the match (25-21, 25-20, 25-19).

Sophomore OH Ava Chiesa had her ninth double-double on the season. She led all players with 13 kills and added 12 digs. Three other Pirates turned in double digit digs: Brynn Rowell (16), Lanai Torres (14), Kylie Kriese (13). Sophomore MB Alyssa Stiles turned in the offensive performance of the night hitting an impressive .476% committing only 1 error on 21 swings and earned 11 kills. Other offensive leaders include OH Elizabeth Johnson (9 kills, .350%) and Mikayla Kaufhardt (9 kills, .368%). Torres earned 38 assists. At the net, Kaufhardt and Kriese slowed down the Falcons with each getting 2 block assists and Kaufhardt 2 solo blocks.

Pirates earned their second win against a State Ranked opponent this season against Sierra (25-22, 25-17, 25-20).

Chiesa again led the Pirates with 11 kills and got her tenth double-double by adding 16 digs. Johnson turned in another impressive hitting performance with 9 kills and 1 error, hitting .333%. Torres again averaging 10+ assists/set with 34 assists. Stiles and Kriese added 7 kills each. Kaufhardt turned in 5 kills from the middle and again being a dominate blocker with 2 solo blocks and 2 block assists. Rowell another double digit dig night with 10. Kriese added to her offense with 4 aces.     

Up next the Pirates end their home conference play on Wednesday 11/12 against Cosumnes River, 6:30pm.