The season opener doesn’t go as planned for Falcons, as women’s volleyball loses it’s first game to San Jacinto College of Riverside, 3-1.

The final match of the evening was a San Jacinto 32-30 overtime win that sealed the victory over the Cerritos College women’s volleyball team.

Cerritos College led most of the final match, but was overcome with errors at the serve and set lines allowing San Jacinto to mount a worthy comeback.

The fans in the stands were rewarded for their 70 mile journey by being treated to a shootout in the desert.

Freshman Susan Suski of Cerritos College led both teams with 16 credited kills including two blocks and two digs.

While not necessarily dominating hits, their placement and timing were crucial in keeping the Cerritos College women’s volleyball team within striking distance toward the end.

They eventually succumbed to the fierce hitting attack from the San Jacinto side.

Before the game, San Jacinto Head Volleyball Coach Fontay Mozga, said without hesitation, “I expect special things from Julianne Tuiolosega and Allison Hatch, my main two outside dominant hitters.”

Tuiolosega finished the night with 15 kills and two blocks defensively.

Hatch contributed eight kills with three blocks for the Eagles.

Tuiolosega, of San Jacinto, said after the game, “I think they [Cerritos College women’s volleyball team] were really good. They brought it. Somebody wins and somebody has to lose. I’m happy that we took it.”

Commenting on Cerritos College women’s volleyball team’s effort, Lady Falcon Susan Suski replied, “It’s actually pretty depressing.”

“I expected a lot more. I have high expectations for this team.”

“We couldn’t pick up No. 13’s (Tuiolosega) deep corner hits,” Suski added stoically.

Cerritos College’s Coach Teresa Velasquez-Ortega summed up the Falcon effort, “We started playing hard and started fighting for the ball…but it was a little bit late. This was our first game, an experience game, hopefully they [the team] pick up some things.”

Coach Velasquez-Ortega’s plans for practice in preparation for the Friday Sept. 7 game at Santa Ana College, “We’re going to practice a lot of things, serve-receive, serves, serving at a target.”

The Friday, Sept. 7 game at Santa Ana College is scheduled for begin at 7 p.m.