Cougar Volleyball Upsets No. 6 Grand Rapids CC

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College women's volleyball team (2-3) defeated No. 6 Grand Rapids CC in a non-conference match at the SMCC Gym on Aug. 23. The Cougars and Raiders battled in five competitive sets, with SMCC ultimately prevailing in a thrilling fifth set: 21-25, 25-20, 25-23, 22-25, 20-18. 

SMCC finished with 52 kills and hit .195 in 154 attacks over the five sets. The Cougars added 44 assists, nine service aces, 74 digs, nine solo blocks and four block assists. 

After falling behind early, the Cougars battled back in set one and finished with seven kills. In set two, SMCC hit .324 with 16 kills in 37 attacks and then posted nine kills to win set three. The fourth set saw both teams post double-digit kills, but GRCC took the set with 12 successful attacks. 

The fifth set was a wild affair where both squads had multiple attempts at match point. Freshman Helen Altagaracia served the final two points for SMCC to seal the victory. She finished with two service aces and six digs in three sets. 

Sophomore Rylee Pitts led the Cougars with 19 kills, hitting .238 in 46 attacks. She posted 12 digs for her first double-double of the season and added three solo blocks and a service ace. Sophomore Lexi Wasil was second on the team with 11 kills and hit .200 in five sets, and added an assist, two digs and a solo block. 

Freshman Lesjune Florance-Littles finished with eight kills, three service aces, five digs and a solo block, and freshman Rylea Simonich had six kills while hitting 312 with three digs and two solo blocks. Sophomore Mariah Smith finished with five kills, a solo block and two block assists.

Sophomore Delicea McAuley recorded 40 assists and 14 digs for her second double-double. She also posted one service ace, a solo block and a block assist. Freshman Mikelle McAfee led SMCC with 25 digs and added a service ace.