Hot Hawks to make debut at new gym

EL CAJON —- Nothing seemed normal about the opening of the San Diego Christian College women’s volleyball season, except for one thing: winning.

“Providence packed the place for their first home match with fans in one-and-a-half-to-two years, depending on how you look at the calendar,” said Hawks head coach Gene Krieger. “It was interesting getting used to playing in front of a big crowd and all the noise.”

Kreiger hopes the same holds true this Friday (Sept. 3), when San Diego Christian also always fans to return — there’s no admission; you only need to wear a mask — when the Hawks entertain Westcliff University in a special, early 4 p.m. home-opening start at the new Salvation Army Gymnasium on Main Street.

San Diego Christian comes out of the weekend with a near-perfect slate, downing Providence Christian College of Pasadena in four sets, then sweeping three straight over Marymount College in Rancho Palos Verdes.

“We’re 2-0, and that’s good, thanks to our two returning all-conference players Breanna Brooks and Jessica Pinasco,” Krieger noted. “Now we just need to incorporate our new players into the line-up because conference play isn’t that far away.”

The Hawks earned their best finish ever in Golden State Athletic Conference last season in a pandemic delayed spring season. They finished second in their division to champion Westmont.

“However, this season the conference is returning to a one-division lineup,” he noted.”So we’ll have  to travel, which reminds me that I still need to make travel arrangements.”

GSAC schools stretch from Northern California to Arizona. Fortunately, the trip to the Sonoran Desert won’t come until mid-October.

Meanwhile, the Hawks were hot in their two victories.

In Friday’s (Aug. 20) opener against the Seabeggers, the Hawks started slowly and trailed in the first set, 17-21, However, a senior setter, Arianna Velasquez took over service and began SDCC’s 8-2 comeback run with six straight points.

Providence took the second set, then Brooks, an NAIA All-American last season, took over with nine kills and several solo stuff blocks in the final two sets to garner the victory, 25-23,22-25,25-15,25-18.

The next night, SDCC swept Marymount, 25-19,25-23,25-8.

“Kayli Barrera, our fifth-year senior, kept Marymount off-balance with her serving all night,” Kreiger added. “She served something like seven aces, which is great when you can score easy points.”

Following the home opener, the Hawks will head to North County to meet St. Katherine in San Marcos on Saturday.

GSAC play commences on Sept. 10 at Hope International of University.

Hawks welcome groups and teams to attend any home match for free. Check out the Hawks schedule HERE.