(Walnut, CA) An early season upset of 3C2A No. 2-ranked Grossmont, 3-2, and a 3-0 sweep of Moorpark highlighted the second Mt. SAC Tri-Tournament on Friday (September 8).

It was the second 5-set marathon this week for the No. 17-ranked Mounties, as they came back from a 2-1 set deficit to defeat Grossmont, 25-21, 11-25, 18-25, 25-23, 15-12.

In the afternoon match, the Mounties (5-4) swept No. 13 Moorpark 25-15, 25-23, 25-20. In between the two Mt. SAC matches, Grossmont rebounded after the loss to the Mounties and defeated Moorpark, 3-1.

"We've been working a lot on our physical stamina, but more so our mental stamina," said Mt. SAC Volleyball coach Samantha Neely, referring to the marathon matches of late. "It's been very rewarding to see all of that practice and that mental training pay off in these two big matches.

"Our preseason was tough, but (Friday) was one of the toughest days because we were playing two very high-quality teams in one day. I couldn't be more excited about bringing this team into the conference next week."

Mt. SAC opens South Coast Conference action at East Los Angeles College on Wednesday (Sept. 13).

Mt. SAC 3, Grossmont 2

Leading the way for the Mounties against Grossmont was sophomore outside hitter Melissa Polich (8 D) with her best match of the young season with a team-high 12 kills. Also in double figures in kills was freshman outside Candace Ceballos (17 D, 2 SA) with 11 kills. Freshman OH Andrea Brewer (10 K) led the team in digs with 18.

For the second match in a row, sophomore setter Capri Salmon (10 D, 1 K, 1 SA) led the team with 41 assists.  

Freshman libero Brooke Olivas added 11 digs for the Mounties.

"It's so exciting, coming from the loss (5-set loss to MSJC) on Wednesday and then everybody being mentally there as a team and just like supporting one another," said Salmon, of the win over Grossmont. "It's so much fun to come out with the win."

After taking a close first set, 25-21, win for the 1-0 Mt. SAC lead, the Griffins easily won the second set, 25-11 to tie the match at 1-1. Through the first half of the third set, Grossmont built up a 10-point, 16-6 lead, but the Mounties tried to rally with a 10-5 run to trail, 21-16. Three kills by Polich in the run led them.

Grossmont finished off the set with four of six points for the 25-18 win and the 2-1 set lead.

In the fourth set, Grossmont took an early, 8-2, lead and seemed to be on the way to a match victory.

However, that all changed as the Mounties came alive, outscoring the Griffins, 11-1, to lead, 13-9. During that run, Grossmont committed eight attack errors.

With the score tied, 22-22, Mt. SAC won three of the last four points, ending the set with a kill by Green to even the match, 2-2.

In the fifth and deciding set, Mt. SAC trailed, 7-5, but outscored the Griffins, 10-5, to complete the upset as Polich ended it with a kill.

Mt. SAC 3, Moorpark 0

In the sweep of Moorpark, Brewer (.345 K%) and Ceballos (11 D) led with 13 and 10 kills, respectively, while Polich (4 D) had seven kills. Brewer also led with 17 digs.

Salmon (11 D, 3 SA) again led with 36 assists and Olivas (1 SA) added 13 digs. As a team, the Mounties amassed 63 digs.

In the opening set, the Mounties led virtually all the way, winning by 10 points. They were led by five kills from Brewer.

In set No. 2, the Mounties had built up a 5-point lead, 17-12 lead, but Moorpark kept it close and was tied, 22-22 late in the set. Sophomore middle Leia Campbell ended the set with a kill for the 2-0 Mountie lead.

In the third set, it was all Mt. SAC early on leading, 14-8. Mt. SAC had a four-point lead, 23-19, before a match-ending kill for the second time Friday by Polich.

"It definitely feels nice to win now, but we're not done yet and have a lot of work to do," Brewer said. "Changes (in the lineup) are good to figure out right now with the upcoming conference games. It felt good for all of us to come together. We've been waiting for that. It feels nice."

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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.