Lady Matadors back in win column with straight set sweep over Phoenix College

YUMA, Ariz. - The Arizona Western Volleyball team ended their four-match losing streak on Friday night with a straight set victory (25-9. 27-25, 25-8) over Phoenix College. In the second set, the Lady Matadors trailed 24-19 before rattling off five straight points and coming back to win 27-25. 

"I was really excited to see the sophomores step up in that second set," Arizona Western head coach Lorayne Chandler said. "I feel that was really important. Phoenix College stepped it up in that second set and I think the girls did a good job of staying cool, calm and collected."

Trailing 24-19, the Lady Matadors had to be perfect and did just that, eventually tying the set 24-24.

"We just talked about taking a little more ownership," Chandler said. "Making sure we are passers, we're not referees, just go out and do our job."

The comeback took the wind out of Phoenix College's sails as the Lady Matadors rolled in the third set.

"I think they needed to see that, to know they can come back," Chandler said. "To know what that feels like, to be able to play that many points in a row without making mistakes. I think the sophomore leadership was really a testament to making that happen. That was our talking point all week, if we're going to be in the playoffs the way we want to be, we need the sophomore leadership."

The Lady Matadors were led by sophomore Esther Asiedu who finished with 8 kills and a kill percentage of .538. 

The win came on Arizona Western's sophomore night and the home finale for the season. Arizona Western improves to 11-7 on the season but still trail Central Arizona by one game for second place in the ACCAC standings.

Arizona Western will next be in action on the road, when they travel to North Las Vegas next Friday and Saturday to face ACCAC foe, the College of Southern Nevada.