Santa Monica records exciting win in Women's Volleyball Round 2 Regionals

#10 Santa Monica d. #7 Cypress, 3-2 (25-15, 25-21, 23-25, 21-25, 17-15)

In what has to be one of the most improbable comebacks in state postseason history, the Corsairs (22-7) upset the Chargers (19-7) by rallying from down 10-1, 11-2, then 13-7 to win the fifth set and advance. Cypress trailed the match 2-0 in sets to force a fifth with victories in sets #3 and #4. The wild fifth saw the Corsairs finish a 7-0 run to take the 14-13 lead. Twice, Cypress' Rose Whitter saved match point with kills to tie at 14-14 and 15-15.

But SMC's Natalie Fernandez drive was blocked out of bounds for a dramatic match-point kill. Fernandez totaled 14 kills, 10 digs, and six blocks, followed by Mia Paulson's eight kills, 24 set assists, 15 digs, four blocks and three aces.

Other Corsairs top performers were Maiella Riva who had 11 kills and six blocks and Mylah Niksa scoring 10 kills (.562) with five blocks. Whitter led Cypress with 14 kills (.355) as well as Zoe Ziegler, who had 14 kills (.414) and four blocks. Shayna Martinez picked up 11 kills and 12 digs while Hailey Church dished out 40 assists with four aces. 

Santa Monica advances to round and will travel to Ventura College to take on the Pirates.  

Release by Robert Lewis, CCCWVCA SID