UKIAH — It was sophomore night for the Mendocino College volleyball team as it closed out the season at home against College of Alameda. Though the Eagles struggled in the first game, they sent their sophomores out on a positive note by rallying for a 21-25, 25-21, 26-24, 25-21 victory in the Bay Valley Conference match.
Mendocino”s only two sophomores, Meghan Metcalf and Shana Hiatt, were honored prior to the start of the match. They both went out in style as Metcalf pounded out 20 kills and Hiatt added 16.
“They were both unstoppable,” Mendo- cino College coach Ori Polkinghorne said.
Metcalf had 10 digs to go along with her 20 kills and Hiatt, in addition to her 16 kills, added eight digs and five blocks.
Polkinghorne said the Eagles played an uninspired first game and he let them know about it — loudly.
“You can”t play heartless and stupid just because it”s sophomore night,” Polkinghorne said. “The other team doesn”t care if it”s sophomore night.”
The Eagles bounced back to win the final three games in the best-of-five match, improving to 7-9 in the final BVC standings and 11-13 overall.
“It”s a great group and we persevered through swine flu and injuries,” Polkinghorne said. “I”m pretty happy with the way it turned out.”
