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Thula Parks pounds a kill during PCC’s sweep at East Los Angeles College Wednesday night, image by Richard Quinton, sports information photographer.
In 2006, the Pasadena City College women’s volleyball team struggled and finished with one of the program’s worst seasons at two wins in 21 matches. Prior to the 2007 season, PCC hired Tammy Silva as its head coach. From the point Silva took control of the Lancers, winning became a habit for PCC volleyball. On Wednesday night, PCC swept host East Los Angeles College, 25-9, 25-11, 25-12, marking Silva’s 100th Lancers’ coaching victory.
It was Silva’s second milestone in coaching this season after recording her 150th career victory (including her four seasons at Citrus College). Silva’s 100 wins at PCC was accomplished in a little more than five seasons plus the first 11 matches of her sixth year at the college. More impressive is her PCC winning percentage of .752 and an .819 success rate in South Coast Conference matches (59-13).
Pasadena, currently ranked No. 12 in the state, improved to 8-3 this year and 2-0 in SCC play. The Lancers are an early favorite to win their first conference title since 2009, but will have competition from No. 14 Mt. San Antonio and No. 16 El Camino.
“You coach long enough, you’re going to reach milestones,” Silva said. “It seems like I’ve only been coaching for a short time at PCC, but the reality is that we’ve done some great things here over the past six years. I’m proud of all the ladies I’ve coached here.”
Against ELAC, sophomore Jennifer Estrada, who has played both outside hitter and libero due to her versatility, knocked down nine kills, led all Lancers with 14 digs, and served four aces. Sophomore opposite Yanise Joseph broke out of a slump by slamming 10 kills in just 13 attempts, and adding three blocks. Nora To’omalatai, the team’s leading freshman hitter, contributed nine kills in an efficient 13 attempts plus seven digs.
PCC played without middle blocker Jackie Valle-Acosta (illness) as Silva used her bench frequently v. the Huskies. Frosh outside hitter Thula Parks made five kills and three blocks, reserve letterman hitter Kassie Jones had four kills and five digs, transfer backup setter Lindsey Kuramoto set 22 assists, and seldom-used reserve Yvette Corral picked up two kills. Transfer defensive specialist/libero Cassandra Delacruz tacked on 10 digs.
The veteran starting unit of middle blocker Megan Callen (seven kills), outside hitter Viridiana Gallardo (six kills, two aces), and setter Kailey Faust (25 assists and nine digs) made early contributions in the victory.
On Friday, October 5, PCC hosts Los Angeles Harbor College in a 6 p.m. match at Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium.
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