The MSJC volleyball team swept Cerro Coso on Wednesday night in their final regular season match to claim the program's first ever conference championship.
The Eagles needed help on Wednesday after the conclusion of their victory, and got it from Chaffey College who defeated College of the Desert 3-1, giving MSJC a share of the Inland Empire Athletic Conference title. MSJC, Chaffey, and Desert all finished their IEAC schedules with identical 8-2 records, to share the crown. MSJC did win the conference tie-breaker to be named the automatic qualifier into the CCCAA Southern California Regional play-offs. The Eagles will be making the program's third play-off appearance and second in a row.
On Wednesday Makenzie Nutting and Allison Rozell were strong on the offensive side of the net as Nutting knocked down 14 kills and Rozell 12. Jacquline Barbosa continued her solid play setting as she passed out a match high 36 assists for the Eagles. The defense at the net was also strong for MSJC as Olivia Elliot led the way with 5 block assists on the night, Faith Galvan added 3. Keona Escorpiso had a team best 10 digs and Angelina Castaneda picked up 8.
The Eagles got off to a fast start winning the first set 25-12. In the second MSJC held off a bit of a late rally by Cerro Coso to win 25-19, and in the third the Eagles got down early, but rallied back to win going away 25-17.
MSJC finishes the regular season with an overall mark of 13-10 and 8-2 in conference play. 2019 marks the fifth winning season in the past six years for the Eagles and will be the team's third play-off appearance after reaching the tournament in 2016 and 2018. During the 2018 season the Eagles also picked up their first ever post season victory.
The 2019 Eagles will find out the play-off pairings on Thursday afternoon.