On Friday night, the Cerritos College volleyball team had a chance to make a huge splash in the state when they took on visiting El Camino College. Although they were swept by the Warriors (16-2, 6-0), the Falcons were within reach of posting a win in each of the sets, before falling, 20-25, 26-28, 20-25. They served game point three times in the second set and were tied 19-19 in the third set. Cerritos (12-8, 4-2) will travel to Long Beach City College for a 6:00 p.m. South Coast Conference match on Wednesday.

In the first set, the teams were tied five times through the first 14 points and even led, 7-6 before the Warriors strung together six consecutive points to take a lead they wouldn't relinquish. The size, strength and depth of El Camino proved to be too much for the Falcons, despite a valiant defensive effort that had them coming up with digs most didn't expect.

The teams traded points from 15-15 through 20-20 in the second set, with sophomore Nicole Spigner (La Mirada HS) and freshman Monica Vega (South Gate HS) accounting for two each. With the game tied at 23-23, Vega slammed home a kill and the Falcons were serving to even up the match. Nickeisha Williams kept the Warriors alive until Spigner responded to give the team a 25-24 advantage. A service error extended the game until Vega posted a kill to give the team another chance to put it away. Jewell Yandall knotted the game once again and when Kezia Boyer slammed home a kill, it was ECC that was on the verge of posting the win. The Falcons attack error finished them off and gave the Warriors a commanding two-game lead.

It was another tight game with the teams trading points once again from 14-14 to 18-18 with Spigner posting two kills and three others recording kills. Spigner gave the Falcons a 19-18 lead, but four attack errors allowed El Camino to pull away and finish off Cerritos in straight sets.

Vega (14 kills, 15 digs) and Spigner (12 kills, nine digs) led the way, with sophomore Jasmine Peralta (Lakewood HS) recording 15 digs. On the night, the Falcons came up with some impressive digs to keep rallies alive. Freshman Kayley Stephens (Cypress HS) had four kills and two block solos, while setter Natalie Caravantes (Baldwin Park HS) finished with 31 assists and 10 digs. El Camino had several strong performances, including the play of Williams (11 kills), Boyer (10 kills, 12 digs) and Taylor Brydon (six kills).

Photos by Daryl Peterson