On Oct. 4, the Montgomery College Raptors (17-4) hosted a tri-match in which they faced and swept the Westmoreland Community College Wolves (3-10) and Baltimore City Community College Panthers (0-8). This followed a tough 3-1 loss against Monroe University, but was an opportunity for MC students and fans alike to appreciate the depth of this year’s roster, as the reserves ran the show in both matches.
First Match v. Westmoreland
The Raptors were efficient and coordinated against the Wolves, and one key to their success was their defense. Of the 13 players who checked in for this match, 11 of them recorded at least one dig; Allie Botha, Emma Salas, and Alaryss Medina each recorded 5 or more. Once the ball was up, it was in the hands of setter Rosely Valdivia, who ended the match with an impressive 34 assists. These assists were spread amongst all 12 of the other Raptors, as every player besides Valdivia recorded at least one kill. Defensive specialists (DS)/outside hitters (OH) Emma Salas and Vanessa Miller combined for 14 of the Raptors’ 40 kills, and fellow OH Sofiia Mateshuk dominated the second set with all six of her kills.
MC’s service game was also on point, as the Raptors had 11 aces across six different players. They blew the Wolves out in the second set, winning 25-7. This can be attributed to the torturous service run DS/OH Sophia Dasilva went on; Dasilva concluded the match with a team-leading four aces, all four during that second set and three of which were consecutive.
MC’s +42 Point difference was a preview of what would come next against the Panthers.
Second Match v. Baltimore City
The Raptors tacked an unreal 29 more aces against Baltimore City. Seven players had at least one ace, middle blocker Caitlin Doherty and libero Alaryss Medina combined for fourteen, recording five and nine, respectively.
After recording her first ace with a hard-driven float in the first set, Doherty caught fire in the second, as her next four were consecutive, effectively putting the set away in favor of the Raptors.
In warm-ups, Medina was practicing her topspin serve – not a staple in the women’s college game, where the jump float is more common – but with the Raptors running away with it early, she let it fly by the second set. The gamble paid off: back-to-back aces in the second and four straight midway through the third.
Only 48 attacking attempts were needed, and the Raptors recorded kills on half of them with 24. Outside hitters Jordan Palazzo and Sofiia Mateshuk each had five kills individually, Palazzo doing so in only eight attempts and Mateshuk with just six. Middle blocker Hillary Malik was right behind them with four herself on only six attempts.
Setter Rosely Valdivia recorded another 21 assists in this match, bringing her total for the weekend to 55. It was in this match that she surpassed the 150 career-assist benchmark, all the while delivering a stellar performance in Orellana’s absence.
Having a roster with depth – whether in setters, hitters, blockers, or in MC’s case, all three – is imperative when the team’s eye is set on nationals. Players who typically don’t get as much run are equally as important in aiding the team to achieve that goal.
On Saturday, Oct. 11 at 11 a.m., the Raptors will play the fourth of their six-game home stretch against the Chesapeake College Skipjacks (1-12).
