Suns Volleyball Wins First Match in Thriller

KEENE, Texas – Dallas College Cedar Valley's volleyball team won its first match of the season, beating Southwestern Adventist University on the road in thrilling fashion Thursday.

The Suns also handed head coach Courtney Willis her first career win in the 25-21, 25-19, 25-27, 22-25, 16-14 victory. It was Cedar Valley's first five-set match of the season.

Alexis Burton matched a season high, pounding 19 kills, and Haven Hernandez had a career-best 14 putaways. Burton also ripped off three aces, and had nine digs. Hernandez finished with three blocks, including a solo.

After Cedar Valley won the first two sets with a little separation, Southwestern Adventist rallied to square the match up at 2-2, needing extra serves in Set 3 to send it to a fourth. The Suns withstood the Knights in a dramatic fifth set, again requiring extra serves to secure the victory.

Amanda Sandoval finished with a season-high 36 assists, eight kills and 11 digs, and had one of the Suns' nine aces. Sydney Rodriguez had a season-best 20 digs and an ace. Lanie Wink had 14 digs. Lourdes Lester had two aces and seven digs. Morgan Taylor added six kills and two blocks.

Aubrey White had a season-best seven blocks, including two solos. The Suns finished with 10 blocks – the most they've had this year.

Cedar Valley will play at Lee College 12 p.m. Saturday.