It was a pair of Top 25 teams in the state facing each other when the Cerritos College volleyball team traveled south to take on host Palomar College on Friday. The Falcons (4-1), who were coming off a tough five-set loss to Los Angeles Mission College two days prior, were extended to a fifth set for a third time this year. This time, Cerritos, ranked #21, was able to hand the #22-ranked Comets (4-1) their first loss of the season with a 25-22, 20-25, 25-23, 22-25, 15-4 victory.

Next up for Cerritos is another non-conference road match, as they travel to take on #16-ranked Moorpark (5-2) for a 5:00 p.m. match next Wednesday.

After splitting the first two sets, the Falcons opened up a quick 6-2 lead in the fifth set, as they picked up two of their points on blocks. They continued that momentum and secured the fifth set without much resistance. As a team, Cerritos recorded a season-high 24 block assists to go along with their five solo blocks. The success at the net is a pleasant surprise, as they team has been known for their defense and extending points. They showed a new skillset of securing points with precision placement on their blocks at the net.

Continuing their balanced attack at the net, the team had three players record double-figure kills and were led by sophomore Monserrat Rodriguez (Gahr HS/Long Beach City College), who had a team-high 17 kills to go along with 15 digs and four block assists. Sophomore Sydney May (Los Alamitos HS/UC Santa Cruz) added 12 kills, 25 assists, four service aces and four block assists.

Adding another offensive option off the bench has been sophomore Lillianna Peterson (California HS), who slammed home 11 kills, with the sophomore dup of Jasmine Soto-Castro (Schurr HS) and Brisa Cortez (Schurr HS) combining for 13 more kills and six block assists. Sharing the setting duties with May, sophomore Leeya Rubio (Schurr HS) dished out 24 assists, with sophomore Jaqueline Torres (Sierra Vista HS/Rio Hondo College) leading the team with eight block assists.