Eva Fisher (15) and Emma Carson (12), Mt. SAC’s beach volleyball pair advanced to day 2 of the 3C2A state championships after their 2 out of 3 wins against Santa Monica, Monterey Peninsula, and American River City College.

Their first game was a loss against Santa Monica after losing both sets with both set scores being 21-12 and 21-17. With a tough start to the competition, the pair would soon redeem themselves in the second game.

The second game was a win against Monterey Peninsula after three grueling sets. The first set would end in a loss for SAC in a 16-21 set. The second set is where SAC would mark their first win of the day with a win of 21-13. Both teams were putting up a fight against one another with multiple back to back spikes. The third set is where SAC would wrap up the set with another win of 15-12.

The third and final game against American River College would result in a three set thriller with Sophomore blocker Eva Fisher (15) and sophomore defender Emma Carson (12) putting all their energy into the final sets.

With the first set ending in a 21 to 17 win in SAC’s favor, SAC tried to keep up but ended the second set in a close 18-21 loss. Leading up to the final set, the pair would keep up their on-court communication and finish the last game in a 18-16 win.

Fisher (15) stated her and Carson (12) have been partners since last season, which helps their on the court communication but most importantly, their work this season.

“Today definitely helped, just showing that we belong here and that we belong with those group of girls going into tomorrow.” Fisher (15) said. “So that’s going to be a good thing to sit on, a nice little confidence boost. Then also realizing that everything that we’ve done this whole season has worked up to this so we earned it.”

Carson (12) explained that she and Fisher (15) will walk into tomorrow feeling confident with their partnership.

“I think we are both just really happy that we advanced to the next day,” Carson (15) said. “Really anything can happen during these games.”

Head Beach Volleyball Coach Samantha Neely stated the pairs on court chemistry is a team effort by both players and coaching staff.

“It’s a team effort,” Neely said. “The partnership on the court, the coaching staff on the bench … I think this match was really cool, we trusted one another. We were working out problems, finding solutions and I’m just really proud of Emma and Eva for coming out on top.”

Mt. SAC will be playing today at 11 a.m. in their first round of the 16 single elimination game against Feather River College.

A correction was issued at 11:30 a.m. on May 12 to correct the spelling on Coach Samantha Neely.