Warriors Storm Back to Advance in Regional Playoffs

No. 4 El Camino College had to overcome a two-set deficit to defeat No. 13 Fullerton 3-2 (19-25, 19-25, 25-18, 25-16, 15-10) in the opening round of the California Community College Athletic Association Women's Volleyball SoCal Regional Playoffs on Tuesday night at the ECC South Gym.

With the victory, the Warriors advance to take on No. 5 Moorpark on Saturday night at the ECC South Gym. The Raiders swept No. 12 Pasadena in their opening round match.

On Tuesday, the Warriors struggled in the early going, committing 14 attacking errors in the first two frames. The Warriors never led in the second set and were in danger of suffering a first round exit.

But things picked up in the third set as the Warriors recorded a match-high 16 kills in the set. Jessica Villasenor led the charge as she hammered home six of her nine kills in the third set. Kayla Conley and Mikayla Clark added four apiece to put ECC on the board.

In the fourth, the Warriors had their best offensive output as they attacked at a .321 clip, the best by either team in the match. Clark slammed home seven kills in the set to lead ECC.

It would not be the last of Clark's brilliance as she recorded seven more kills in the fifth to help the Warriors secure the win. She finished the match with 28 kills and 12 digs and four service aces. Caitlin Donatucci had one of her best performances of the year, dishing out 56 assists with 19 digs, one ace and one block.