PCC Volleyball Ends Losing Slump, Downs East LA College in 4

The Pasadena City College women’s volleyball team snapped a season-long, 9-match losing streak by defeating East Los Angeles, 25-20, 25-18, 16-25, 25-19, in a South Coast Conference match at Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium Friday night.

The Lancers (1-9 overall) are 1-2 in SCC play. ELAC fell to 7-7 and 1-2.

PCC relied on a breakout performance by freshman 5-foot-9, middle hitter Chy’annea Hodges, who pounded 15 kills (.314 attack percentage) and added three blocks (two solos). Hodges played basketball in high school at Muir High and only began playing competitive volleyball in pre-season practices under the tutelage of the Lancers’ coaching staff of head coach Bill Sanchez and assistant coach Kari Post.

“She’s our best athlete, and tonight she hit the ball extremely hard, dominating East LA’s play around the net,” Sanchez said. “She’s doing a better job on tipping, using her leaping ability. For someone who never played the sport, she’s come a long way in a short time.”

Frosh outside hitter Lahiz Longobardi totaled a double-double with 17 kills and 10 digs. Transfer setter Megan Williams added 39 assists while freshman OH Michelle Boyd was strong on the serve, placing five aces to go with four kills and eight digs. Sophomore libero Sabrina Takeuchi contributed 18 digs and freshman OH Eugenia Mendez had 11 digs.

The Lancers hope to make it two straight when they travel to face Los Angeles Trade Tech in a 7 p.m. conference match on Wednesday, Oct. 15.