PHOTO BY BRAD GRAVERSON: Ashleigh Gideon, shown here in a file photo, helped El Camino sweep Fullerton in the season opener for both teams.
Two-time defending state champion El Camino College shook
off some early-season jitters and rallied for a 25-19, 26-24, 27-25
nonconference women's volleyball victory Friday at Fullerton in a season opener
between two top programs.
El Camino faced deficits in each game before showing the
same fighting spirit that characterized its run to consecutive state titles out
of the loser's bracket.
El Camino even fought off four game-points against
Fullerton, which finished the season ranked No. 5 last season.
"Both teams were pretty nervous," El Camino coach Le Valley
Pattison said. "We looked a little shaky in the beginning, but we steadied out.
It was definitely a case of first-match nerves.
"But it was fun to fun to see the girls turn it around and
win after they put themselves in big holes."
Sarah Prather (Bishop Montgomery) led El Camino with 10
kills and 13 digs, and Ashleigh Gideon (North Torrance) finished strong and
totaled 10 kills and 11 digs.
Kiley Tamblyn (South Torrance) led a strong passing game
with 27 digs. Deja Dickerson (St. Monica) contributed seven kills and two
blocks, and Donella DiDomenico (Bishop Montgomery) was strong in her setting
debut with 12 digs and 32 assists.
"We were down six or seven points each game. That was a
little weird," Pattison said. "I
think we were a little tentative with our hitting. Then Sarah Prather turned it
up a bit, and that allowed Ashleigh to get more into a groove and feel
comfortable.
"It was a matter of adjusting to new teammates and some
timing issues. The more they play together, the better they're going to be."
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