Moorpark fails to clinch title» Ventura County Star

Moorpark fails to clinch title» Ventura County Star: "Moorpark fails to clinch title
By From staff reports
Posted November 11, 2009 at 12:01 a.m.

Moorpark College women’s volleyball team had emerged from a dramatic third game on the brink of clinching its second straight Western State Conference title.
That’s when Santa Barbara City began defending its home court.
Maria Mayer, Nicole Bergmann and Emelia Shugrue had 13 kills apiece as Santa Barbara City, ranked No. 6 in the state coaches poll, came roaring back to take the fourth game and a decisive fifth game, 15-11, to win its 15 straight home match and pull within a flat-footed tie with No. 6 Moorpark on Tuesday night.
“They really stepped it up and we just didn’t respond,” said Moorpark coach Steve Burkhart. “I thought they played better defense.”
Things fell apart for the Raiders after gutting out the third game, 28-26, to take a 2-1 lead.
“We lost our composure a little bit in that fourth game and it went to the fifth game, where anything can happen,” said Burkhart.
The Vaqueros (17-2, 7-1) were led by star middle blockers Bergmann and Jenn Waddill, who hit .440 and .346, respectively, in combining for 24 kills.
Una Siljegovic had 19 kills and three blocks, Rachel Olinyk had 10 kills and five blocks and Mimi Sander had 26 digs for Moorpark (17-2, 7-1), which had dropped just two games in winning 11 straight matches overall, including a four-game win over the Vaqueros at Raider Pavilion on Oct. 20.
“I wasn’t disappointed with our effort,” said Burkhart.
The Raiders, who had won 19 straight in WSC North play since Nov. 2007, face the tough road trip to Cuesta on Friday."