Volleyball loses to Irvine Valley, crushes Santa Ana

The Fullerton women's volleyball team went 1-1 on last week's two-game road trip, yielding to Irvine Valley College and sweeping Santa Ana College.

These two conference matches land the Hornets at a 6-5 record overall, 1-2 in conference.

The Hornets began the trip facing the Lasers of Irvine Valley College (7-0, 3-0), ranked fourth in the state. Fullerton came up short, losing in four sets, 13-25, 25-23, 21-25, 24-26.

Fullerton took an early timeout in set one after falling behind six points. The Hornets rallied back with a four points in a row, bringing the score to 12-10, prompting the Lasers to take a timeout of their own. Irvine Valley came out stronger than ever, pushing the lead to 25-15 to take set one.

Missed serves plagued the Hornets in set one. In set two, Fullerton took on the challenge and served magnificently to take an early lead. Sophomore Sarah Altergott began an offensive onslaught, tipping, hitting, then serving an ace for three quick points, bringing the score to 20-14. The Laser's timeout did not phase the Hornets' attack, with the set ending in a Fullerton win 25-23.

"We didn't come out strong, but we fought to get back." If we make a couple of plays, we can hang on and compete," said Eddie Rapp Fullerton  Head coach.

The Hornets endured solid play from the Lasers in set three. Irvine Valley did not give up the lead throughout the set. Sophomore Reilly Stevens tallied 15 kills,  three blocks and 19 digs for the night, and helped the Hornets stay within striking distance, but the Lasers never let up, ending the set at 25-21.

In hopes of tying the match, Fullerton started the fourth set, 13-9. Freshman Jordan Harp contributed 11 kills and 15 digs in the Hornets' push, putting the Hornets up 24-23 in the fourth set. After consecutive Laser hits and a Fullerton missed serve, the Hornets let it set slip away, ending the set and match, 26-24.

On Friday, the Hornets visited the struggling Santa Ana College Dons for another Orange Empire Conference match.

The match proved to be less of a crowd-pleaser as the Hornets swept the Dons of Santa Ana College in three quick matches  25-15, 25-11, 25-18. The win was the first conference win for the Hornets this season. The Hornet's other conference loss came against Cypress on Oct. 2.

Fullerton hosts Golden West College this Wednesday at 6 p.m.

The Hornets have had their struggles as of late. The match can give Fullerton just what it needs to make a quick turnaround as the end of the season nears.