Women’s Volleyball Defeats Orange Coast in Four

TORRANCE, Calif. – No. 5 El Camino College got production from a variety of players in a 3-1 (25-19, 23-25, 25-14, 25-19) non-conference victory over Orange Coast Saturday afternoon at the ECC South Gym.

Phina Leilua led all players with 18 kills for the Warriors (13-2) and added 13 digs and one block. Meris Ewell slammed down 13 kills and attacked at a .500 clip to go along with three blocks as the Warriors used late runs to overtake the Pirates (15-3).

Caitlin Donatucci dished out 32 assists to lead the team while Keri Isara added 17 helpers and a team-high four service aces. Mikayla Clark had nine kills and 11 digs; Sophia Loiola added eight kills and two blocks and Renee Brydon had six kills with four blocks.

The match was close throughout, beginning with a tightly contested opening set that had the teams tied 19-19 late. But the Warriors rattled off six straight points, capped off by a kill from Clark to take a 1-0 lead.

The second set was the closest of the match as neither team was able to take a lead bigger than three points in the frame. But despite the competitive set, the Warriors only led once in the frame at 5-4 before the Pirates took the lead and held it for the remainder of the set to tie things up.

The Warriors dominated the third set as they attacked at a .520 clip in the frame. They used a 9-2 run midway through the game to pull away and cruise to a 2-1 lead.

In the fourth, the Pirates jumped out to an 11-6 lead but ECC responded with a 14-2 spurt to take the lead and they never looked back.

The Warriors have now won three straight matches and will host Long Beach City on Wednesday night at the ECC South Gym. First serve is set for 6 p.m.