09.28.07 - Kristin Mendoza had 11 kills and three blocks during Friday's contest vs. Pasadena City. Photo Gallery

    It appeared as though Cerritos would be able to pull out the win, as they held leads deep into each of the first two games. But, to the credit of the Lancers, they fought back and pulled out close wins in the first two games to take the advantage. After the Falcons picked up the win in the third game, they fell behind early in the fourth game and never regained their momentum and dropped the match.

    Using their size to their advantage, Pasadena City controlled the game at the net and found the answers they needed in the match in the form of Ashley Marshman. When the Lancers needed a key point, they turned to Marshman, who came through most of the time. With the Falcons holding a 21-16 lead in the first game after an 11-point run by Cerritos, Marshman got the ball back with a block. It sparked a run by Pasadena City, which countered the efforts of freshman Teresa Orejel (Santa Fe HS), who came off the bench to record three kills in the match. The score was tied at 26-26 before a Marshman kill, two Falcon errors and a kill by Lauren Rowsey closed out the game.

    Cerritos opened up a 6-2 lead in the second game, with sophomore Kristin Mendoza (St. Paul HS) recording two kills and a block to lead the way. After three straight kills by freshman Megan Hayes (Artesia HS) and a service ace by freshman Julie Reich (La Mirada HS) gave the Falcons a 19-14 lead, the Lancers scored six of the next seven points to tie the game at 20-20. The teams traded points until it was 26-26 before a service error by Reich gave the Lancers the ball. Hayes responded with a huge kill, but Candice Price pounded home two straight points for the Lancers to give them a 29-27 lead. Sophomore Natalie Barajas (California HS) made it 29-28 before Price finished the game with a hard kill.

    Undaunted by being down 0-2, the Falcons jumped out to a 5-0 start in the third game and after they fell behind, 16-10, the team started a comeback of their own. With sophomore Vanessa Mojica (Whittier HS) serving, Cerritos ran off 11 consecutive points, which included three straight services aces by Mojica and four kills from freshman Samantha Montiel (Montebello HS). Pasadena made a run at sweeping the match, but several errors at the net helped Cerritos along the way until Hayes secured the third game with a kill.

    On the night, Hayes led the Falcons with 15 kills, with Mendoza chipping in with 11 kills and three blocks. Barajas added seven kills, while Montiel had six kills and no errors. Reich dished out 41 assists, with Mojica leading with way with five services aces and eight digs.