MiraCosta Over Cypress In Four

In front of the largest home crowd of the season, the Spartans battled their way to a four-set win over Cypress College advancing to the second round of the CCCAA's Southern California Regional Championship. The Spartans were led by sophomore setter Jessica Zieg, who tallied 41 assists, 8 digs, and 4 kills. 

MiraCosta traded points with Cypress through most of set one before eventually pulling away at the end of the set to win the set 25-22. In set one, middle hitters, Breanna Kirklen and Madeline Sims combined for 7 kills and both earned a .800 attack efficiency. 

In set two, sophomore outside hitter Brianna Sizemore started to heat up and led all attackers with 6 kills on 6 attempts, hitting at an impressive 1.000 efficiency. MiraCosta traded points throughout the set before eventually taking control and closing out the set 25-21.

The Spartans failed to carry the momentum into set 3, they gave up a string of points early in the set and never recovered. Eventually losing the set 20-25. 

Midway through set four it appeared that the match was headed for a fifth set. The Spartans called a timeout, trailing Cypress 9-18. After a couple of key substitutions and a service run by sophomore Shaina Lilly, the Spartans were able to tie the game up at 20-20 and go on to win 25-23. Freshman opposite Leah McManus came off the bench and added the spark the Spartans needed to close out the match. Leah led all attackers with 3 kills on 5 attempts, hitting a .600. Also off the bench in set 3 was sophomore defensive specialist Kyra Henderson, she helped steady the Spartan serve receive and anchor the defense. 

Mailia Sellers led all defenders with 15 digs. Brianna Sizemore led attackers with 12 kills and had 12 digs. Cady Francis and Madeline Sims each had 9 kills in the match. Cady also added 3 aces and 12 digs.  

The Spartans travel to Los Angeles on Saturday to play the 2nd ranked Pierce College in the second round of the state playoffs.