Knights Nearly Comeback From 0-2 Deficit

The Knights were on their home court for the first time this season and nearly forced a fifth set after losing the first two sets, but Santa Monica squeezed out a 3-1 (25-15, 25-15, 18-25, 24-26) win. Freshman Alexis Mines led the Knights offensively with eight kills to go with five digs. Freshman Sarah Cashman added six kills and 10 digs. 

City struggled in the opening set as Santa Monica went ahead 7-0, but the Knights stayed within reach and closed the gap at 19-14. Santa Monica, however, scored six of the next seven points to win the set.

The Knights jumped out to an 8-4 lead in the second set after a clean spike from Sydney Bishop that forced a Santa Monica time out. The Corsairs responded with a 10-3 run to take an 14-11 lead went on to win the set, 25-15, to go up 2-0 on City.

In the third set, with the scored tied at 9-9, Mines earned a kill off an assist from setter Kai Arriaga (12 assists) to start a 6-0 run that gave the Knights a 15-9 lead. City kept Santa Monica at arm's length the rest of the set and won, 25-18, to avoid a sweep. 

In a tight fourth set, the Knights trailed 21-19, but a solo block by Ashley Davies followed by a Santa Monica error put the Knights in a 21-21 tie. The teams were tied again at 24 a piece after another Santa Monica error, but the Corsairs scored the final two points to win the match. 

The Knights will start conference play with two road matches beginning on Friday at Imperial Valley at 5 p.m., and then at Miramar on September 21. 

City will play its first PCAC home match at 6 p.m. on September 23 against Palomar. There will be a Latinx/Chicanx celebration prior to and during that match. Festivities are set to begin at 4:30 p.m. with free tacos, souvenirs, raffles, and contests.