After the first two games of their non-conference match against visiting Riverside City College, the Cerritos College volleyball was in good shape, as they captured the first two sets. But the Tigers (3-6) seemed to come to life, while the Falcons suddenly were unable to keep the ball on the playing surface. The end result was a five-set loss, 25-20, 25-19, 18-25, 22-25, 11-15, which dropped the team's record to 3-5. Cerritos (3-5) will now travel to San Diego City College for a tournament on Saturday.

The tide started to turn after the Falcons won the second set. They committed eight attack errors in the third set, compared to two errors and 12 kills for Riverside, while 10 more attack errors carried over into the fourth set.

The third set was tied at 6-6, but the Tigers slowly started to pull away, as they scored points in bunches, thanks in part to the attack issues by Cerritos. The teams were tied at 12-12 in the fourth set, but six attack errors by the Falcons aided Riverside into taking a 21-17 lead. It was a 22-20 score after a Tigers attack error and after both teams traded a pair of kills, Naomi Tilford (17 kills, 24 digs) finished off the fourth set with a kill.

Cerritos had six more attack errors in the fifth set, allowing Riverside to turn a 6-6 match into a 12-6 deficit. Sophomore Sara Hickman (La Mirada HS) provided a kill and freshman Jasmine Peralta (Lakewood HS) posted a service ace to get to within 12-8 and it was 13-11 after a Tigers service error, an attack error and ace by sophomore Michelle Barba (Downey HS). RCC's Michelle Loftus (10 kills) recorded a point and an attack error ended the night for Cerritos.

Hicknan led the team with 13 kills and 19 digs, while sophomore Jasmin Mitchell (Warren HS) had eight kills and four block assists before an injury ended her night early. The team's kill leader, sophomore Jasmynne Roberts (Long Beach Poly HS) did finish with eight kills, but had a forgetful night, posting 14 attack errors. Barba and freshman Natalie Caravantes (Montebello HS) each dished out 16 assists, with Caravantes, Barba and Peralta combining for 11 aces.

Photos by Daryl Peterson