Prior to the start of South Coast Conference play, the Cerritos College volleyball team was able to match up against teams that are as small as they are. However, since conference play has begun, the Falcons have tried to find way to hit through taller blockers and experience success at the net on defense. On Friday, Cerritos looked to make a splash in the standings against visiting Pasadena City College (10-4, 3-1), but suffered a 27-25, 7-25, 21-25, 25-23, 11-15 decision, which marks the team's third loss in a row after opening with five straight wins.

The Falcons (5-3, 0-3) will look for their first conference win next Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. when they travel to El Camino College.

Things were really looking up for Cerritos after they fought back to take the first set, 27-25 after trailing 19-23, and 21-24. A pair of Lancer attack errors, followed by three big kills from sophomore Jayda Harris-Amete (La Mirada HS) drew the team even at 24-24. Pasadena City took a brief 25-24 lead until Harris-Amete tied the set once again, while her fourth kill took the set after freshman Jasmine Soto (Schurr HS) gave the team a 26-25 advantage.

The second set was a complete disaster for Cerritos, as they surrendered the first 16 points and looked to move past that. They trailed from beginning to end in the third set and found themselves with their backs against the wall.

Things looked bleak in the fourth set, as they trailed, 23-20. A service error gave the Falcons the serve and freshman Leeya Rubio (Schurr HS) went out and served the next five points to take the set. She opened with a service ace, while a kill from Harris-Amete was followed by a kill from sophomore Erykah Scott (Bellflower HS) to put the team in front, 24-23 after a long rally. Cerritos sent the match to a fourth set after a Harris-Amete attack was unable to be returned.

Cerritos held a brief 5-4 lead in the fifth and deciding set, while the match was tied at 9-9 at one point. With the winning team needing only 15 points, the Falcons were victimized by Ashley Gilbert, who drove home three kills down the stretch, including the match point.

Harris-Amete led the team with 14 kills and added nine digs, while Scott, Soto and Brisa Cortez (Schurr HS) each recorded seven kills in the match. Rubio dished out 33 assists, while adding six digs and five kills, with freshman Priscilla Castillo (Schurr HS) leading the back row with 20 digs.