Cougars Sweeps Phoenix College to Open 2022 ACCAC Campaign

PHOENIX --- 

The South Mountain Community College women's volleyball team swept Phoenix College in its 2022 ACCAC opener on Wednesday, Aug. 31. The Cougars posted their first sweep of the season in dispatching the Bears 25-17, 25-20 and 25-22. SMCC has won three of its last five matches heading into tonight's contest. 

The Cougars hit .243 as a team and collected 39 kills on 93 attacks. The SMCC defense held the Bears to 19 kills on 85 swings for a .047 hitting percentage. 

SMCC jumped to a 19-9 lead in the first set as freshman Mariah Smith had several impressive kills, including the game-winner. In the second set, SMCC overcame a 13-10 deficit to take a 17-14 lead and sophomores Madison Cadden (two kills) and Imani Cannon (service ace) scored the final three points. 

The Cougars led 4-1 and 9-3 early in the third set, but PC rallied to tie the match at 12-12. The Bears then held a 17-14 lead before SMCC tied the set at 18-18 and took a 22-21 lead it would not relinquish. 

Cadden continued to pace the Cougars' offense, leading the squad with a match-high 16 kills in the win over the Bears. She hit .464 on 28 attacks and added five digs.

Sophomore Emily Wilson finished with nine kills against PC and hit .318 in 22 swings. Freshman Rylee Pitts posted six kills, and Smith added five in the victory. Pitts and Smith combined for five solo blocks as well. 

Freshman Delicea McAuley led the team with 32 assists and added five digs, and sophomore Imani Cannon led SMCC with 16 digs and two service aces.