SWC JAGS v. San Diego City College Knights

Southwestern College v. San Diego City College Knights (9/15/23)

By: Juan H Estrada

In front of another rowdy home crowd, the Jaguars battled the Knights from San Diego City College. The match was kept close by both teams, though the Jaguars were able to rally and take three straight sets for a victory. 

Southwestern started the match a bit slow on offense having to play catch-up, after dropping the first set to the Knights. The opening of the second set looked similar to the first, and it seemed as if it was going to be a quick night for the Jaguars. The Knights took the early lead, but the Jaguars were able to rally after a five-point deficit to tie. Southwestern was able to keep the match close but really got rolling on offense once they scored their fifteenth point. The Jaguars closed the set by scoring four unanswered points.

With momentum on the Jaguars side, they did not relent. The third set was very one sided in favor of the Jaguars, their offense really displayed what this team can become as a unit. The Knights scored three points quickly to begin the set, but after that, they never held a lead again. The Jaguars dominated this set emphatically ending it with four-point advantage taking a commanding lead of the match two to one.

Home court advantage was in full effect tonight. Support came in the form of stomping from the bleachers section. The hoots and hollers of the crowd were being encouraged by Jaguars Middle-Back Kaitlyn Montero from the bench, she was jumping and shouting creating a back-and-forth cheer with the bleachers. Her screams cut through the auditorium silence whenever the crowd tired.

The Jaguars showed heart and played with intensity in the fourth set. Southwestern found themselves in a huge seven-point hole but were able to close the gap with great serving from team captain Christina Guerrero. Guerrero steamrolled the Knights with four consecutive points from her powerful serving, scoring a couple of Aces.

With Southwestern on the verge of losing the set if they gave up one more point, the Jaguars managed to rally, and complete the comeback victory with six more unanswered points.

The bench ran onto the court and the bleachers erupted into a celebration.

Postgame Yesenia Garcia, the starting Setter for the Jaguars was asked how she would celebrate the victory? Garcia's response, "Chick-fil-A. Go home, shower and go to sleep."