Season Wrap-up: Vaqueros streak to WSC title

Anderson is Player of Year; SBCC sets school record

 SBCC transformed a slow start into a splendid finish in the 2012 women’s volleyball season. The Vaqueros went 2-6 in their first eight matches with all six losses coming to teams ranked No. 13 in the state or higher
 The Vaqueros started off with Ari Garner and Jenna Anderson at setter in a 6-2 offense. After a few weeks, they switched to a 5-1 with Garner handling the setter duties and Anderson moving to outside hitter.
 They posted two sweeps on Sept. 22 to claim the consolation title at the L.A. Pierce Tournament and went on to capture the next 14 matches in a row. That broke the previous school record of 12 straight wins.
 The Vaqueros won all 10 of their WSC North matches and finished 16-7, losing at No. 5 Pasadena in the first round of the Southern Cal Regional. It was their third WSC title in the last four years.
 SBCC has been spectacular at home with a 37-4 record (.902) over the last 4½ seasons. They’re 46-6 in the last five years of WSC North play.
 Anderson, a 5-10 freshman opposite from Lake Forest, was named WSC North Player of the Year and All-Region. Anderson led the Vaqueros in kills (168) and was fourth in the 13-team conference in aces with 39.
 Ed Gover was selected as the Coach of the Year.
 “It all starts with the team being on the same page mentally,” said Gover. “We had four left-side players who could start any match. Our practice plans were designed to create a very competitive environment. Everyday was a healthy battle at every position. Our staff feels that it was this structure that allowed our best team to take the court on game day.”
 Garner, middle blocker Bianca Castro and defensive specialist Mackenzie Mexico also made first-team all-conference.
 The Vaqueros were slated to open the Regional playoffs at Orange Coast but a seeding error caused the bracket to be changed just 24 hours before the first round. The Vaqueros’ opponent changed to Pasadena, a team that was 19-4 and 10-0 at home.
 “That last-minute change was huge,” noted Gover. “It was unfair to all the teams involved in the playoffs. All 16 teams in the playoffs did not know who their opponent was until 8 p.m. the night before the match. At that point in the season, it’s more about preparing for match-ups.”
 Gover said there may be some sand volleyball in the near future for his team.
 “There is a new movement by a few other colleges to begin a Sand Volleyball off-season program, which we are looking to participate in,” he said. “This should keep our kids in great shape and ready for the Fall season.”

2012 WSC North Standings

                     WSC    GF  GA   Overall
SBCC           10-0     30     3       16-7
Moorpark        8-2     26     6       13-8
L.A. Mission    4-6    12    20        9-9
Cuesta            4-6    17    18        6-16
Ventura           4-6    14    22        5-16
Hancock        0-10     0    30         2-17

Anderson, Gover get top WSC honors

8 Vaqueros are All-WSC; SBCC opens
Regional on Tuesday at Pasadena

 SBCC freshman Jenna Anderson was chosen as Player of the Year for WSC North women’s volleyball and Ed Gover has been named Coach of the Year.
 The Vaqueros captured their third WSC North title in the last four years with a perfect 10-0 record and capped the regular-season with a school-record 14-game win streak. SBCC won 30 of 33 sets in conference play.
 Santa Barbara (16-6) was seeded 12^th for the Southern Cal Regional and travels to No. 5 Pasadena (19-4) on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The Lancers were co-champ of the South Coast Conference.
 Anderson, a 5-10 opposite from Lake Forest, Calif., also made the All-Region team. She led the Vaqueros in kills (168) and was fourth in the WSC in service aces with 39. She had seven kills and nine aces at Hancock on Nov. 7, then ended the regular season on Nov. 9 with 14 kills and 16 digs at Moorpark.
 Gover, who’s in his 22^nd season, won his third Coach of the Year award. He was also honored in 1997 and 2009. Seven other Vaqueros made the All-WSC squad.
 Freshman setter Ari Garner, sophomore middle hitter Bianca Castro and sophomore libero Mackenzie Mexico were first-team choices. Castro is No. 4 in block assists (48) in the 13-team WSC and No. 7 in solo blocks with 23. Garner has 618 assists and Mexico has recorded 186 digs.
 Second-team honors went to sophomores Emily Banas and Katie Dolan, along with freshmen Jasmine Ward and Tessa Weller. Banas is second on the Vaqueros in kills (148) and leads the team in digs with 198.