BlueWave volleyball picks up first Conference win versus Santa Fe

The Bluewave volleyball team got off to a great start to open conference play, as they dug deep at home to hold off a relentless effort from the Santa Fe College Saints. The first set was a back and forth effort as both teams seeing each other for the first time this season, seemed to be feeling out each other. The BlueWave however, was able to mount a rally and went on to win the set 25-22. 

The second set was no different as both teams battled to a 24-24 tie, they exchanged leads for the next two points, until the BlueWave was able to put it away on a pair of kills from team captain Elizabeth Sandoval.

But the Saints came marching out for the third set, and after going down 3-6 early in the set, they stormed back to tie the score. They would eventually build an eight point lead at 22-14, but the BlueWave refused to go away quietly, they fought back to within three points at 23-20, but would find the hole too deep to dig themselves out of, and dropped the third set 21-25. 

The fourth set was another drama filled set, as the BlueWave jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, but that evaporated quickly as the saints mounted a five-0 run of their own, to take a 5-3 lead. The BlueWave fought back again to take a four point lead at 11-7 and would not allow the saints any closer than two points until they pulled to within one at 23-22, the Saints managed to dig deep and tied the score at 24, they battled each other tooth and nails, until the BlueWave ended it on a pair of kills again from Sandavol.

Sandoval finished the night with 17 kills and 11 digs for her second double, double of the season. Marine Angely, and Jana Cuk were two other BlueWave with double digit kills, with 12 and 11 kills respectively. Krystal Santiago led the team with 19 Digs, Dyrenna Harris recorded 5 total blocks, 3 solo, while Freshman setter Leah Mortensen recorded a career high 17 assists. 

The BlueWave will play at home again at 2 pm on Saturday, when they look to go 2-0 in conference as they face the other conference opponent, The Pensacola State Pirates.