Artichoke Spikers Fall in Four to Glendale

October 15, 2013

by Staff Writer Chris Hodges

The Scottsdale Community College Volleyball team traveled across town to rival Glendale Community College looking for some revenge. This matchup would be the second time in less than a month that the #13 ranked Artichokes would face #10 ranked Gauchos in a matchup with huge playoff implications for the ACCAC D2 Regional Tournament Host. Scottsdale (17-4) entered tonight's matchup tied with Glendale for first place in Division 2 and second place overall and looking to avenge an earlier defeat to the Gauchos.

The Artichokes were stuck in a back and forth battle in set #1. Down 16-12, Coach Regina Mannix used her first timeout of the set in order to quiet a Gaucho Run. Following the timeout, Scottsdale responded, rallying to tie the set at 18 apiece. They then took the lead 23-21 after a spectacular individual effort by Sophomore Madison Clements who made a diving dig to thwart a Gaucho attack. Momentum was on the Scottsdale side as the finished the set 25-23.

With the score tied early in Set #2 Glendale used a 5-0 run to put some distance between the two teams and the Artichokes struggled to get over the hump, never being able to get back closer than 2 points and eventually falling 25-19.

Scottsdale jumped out to a 9-6 lead in Set #3 behind two serving Aces by Freshman Chandler Hillman. They eventually stretched the lead to 12-9 before Glendale made their move. Tied at 18 apiece Glendale then went on a 4-0 run to take the set 25-21.

Set 4 saw the Artichokes again jump out to an early lead at 6-2 only to watch the Gauchos come storming back to tie the match at 12. From that point forward Scottsdale rattled off 5 consecutive points to take a 17-12 lead. Not to be outdone Glendale once again used a 7-2 run to tie the set at 19 all. Both teams traded points until Glendale capitalized and took the set and the match with a 28-26 win.

When asked about her team's performance Coach Mannix said this, "It was a tough night for us, Glendale is a very well coached team. They played great defense. We had a lot of good things happen for us in this match, but in the end we came up just a little short."

Scottsdale was led on the night by Victoria Fajardo who led the team with 24 kills, hitting .460 for the match while collecting 1.5 blocks. Tineille Waggoner chipped in with 48 assists, 5 kills and 13 digs.

Scottsdale returns to action on October 23 when they travel to first place Arizona Western in a conference matchup.