The Spartans sweep defending State Champions!

The Spartans looked sharp in their first match of 2015. The second year program has high goals this year as they have their first recruited class now leading as Sophomores. Head Coach, Kristen Wright, and staff brought in a stellar freshman class to compliment their returning sophomores. Tonight's match-up was expected to be a good one: the defending indoor and sand state champions (2014-15), Irvine Valley College and MiraCosta who is fresh off a sand PCAC Championship in it's first year. The Spartans proved to be pretty smooth in their season opener and they looked like one of the state's top teams in this 2015 season. 

The first set started off by trading points and both sides shaking nerves. It wasn't until the middle of the match where the Spartans took a commanding lead, forcing Irvine Valley into the first timeout. "We were pretty calm and poised," Head Coach Kristen Wright, added. "We have the signs of a veteren squad. Those intangibles are key to competing in a championship arena." The Spartans closed out the set putting down 13 kills with a .346 attack proficiency. The Spartans best weapon is, Sophomore setter, Jesse Zieg, running a very spread offense. Jesse Zieg had 31 assists on the night, 3 aces, 4 digs, and a block. The Spartans cruised to a 25-18 first set victory.

In set two, the Spartans took the lead right away. Breanna Kirklen, a 5'11" sophomore, middle, started to go to work. Kirklen had 9 kills on the night, and hit a .467 clip. Brianna Sizemore, a 6'2" Sophomore outside hitter, put down 8 kills, and chipped in 11 digs. Another key to the Spartan success is they served very effectively. The Spartans had 10 aces on the night and numerous out of system plays were forced by the Spartan serving dynamics and strategy. The Spartans closed out set two, 25-18. The Spartans put down 14 kills and hit a .321 attack proficiency.

Set three, started slow for the Spartans. The Spartans were down 1-4 until Jesse Zieg went to the service line. She ran off 8 points on the service line forcing Irvine to make a few substitutions. Then freshman, defensive specialist/outside hitter Lana Salazar (4 digs, 2 aces) served another 6 points helping the Spartans take a commanding lead, 18-10. The Lasers came back with some great defensive plays and smart attacking. However, it wasn't enough to hold back the Spartans as they sailed to victory, 25-22. Freshman, 5'11", outside hitter, Elayna Cramer, put down 8 kills and added 2 digs. 5'11", Opposite, Nikki Alderman chipped in 7 kills and 1 block. Freshman libero, Cady Francis led all players with 14 digs and chipped in 2 aces. Freshman, Defensive specialist/outside hitter, Maile Sellers had 9 digs on the night. 

"I am so proud of these girls. They have worked very hard to start their season off on a high. We certainly have a lot to improve upon, but overall, we're really pleased with tonight's performance," Coach Wright noted. 

The Spartans (1-0) take on East L.A. and Chaffey College, at East L.A. on September 9th at 4PM and 6PM respectively.