Shorthanded Gauchos bit by Tigers

A short-handed Saddleback volleyball team fell in straight sets to the visiting Riverside City College Tigers on Friday in a battle to take over sixth place in the conference standings.  Set scores were 25-22, 25-21, and 25-12 in favor of the Tigers.

The teams looked similar on paper, sporting identical 1-5 records in Orange Empire Conference play.  And the long rallies proved that the teams were evenly matched on the court.  The noticeable difference was on the bench were Saddleback's remaining roster sat in street clothes nursing various injuries.  That lack of depth may have been the difference as the Gauchos saw a 21-21 tie in the first set slip away, 25-22, and a 20-19 lead in the second set slip away, 25-21. The third set got away early as the Gauchos only trailed 10-8 before Riverside went on a 12-1 run to cruise to a 25-12 victory and sweep the match.

Saddleback will be back at home on Wednesday (October 30) to host Orange Coast College.  The match begins at 6:00 p.m.