In a conference rematch game between rivals, the second ranked in California, American River College women’s volleyball team set off to face the first ranked San Joaquin Delta on Sept. 25, welcoming San Joaquin to their home court after ARC lost on the road 3-1. So far, SJD has been the only team to beat ARC this season.  

It started off as a one-sided match because SJD immediately took the lead winning the first set 25-18, the ARC Beavers were able to come back with a second set win of 19-25. 

With both teams having one loss this conference, SJD’s record is 13-1 and ARC’s is 12-1, it set the scene for an intense evening between teams along with fans. The gym held a loud, roaring energy steady throughout the game as both teams desperately wanted to go away with a win to their name. 

SJD came back in the third set, taking the win from a back and forth match ending it 25-23. The third match escalated the energy between teams and fans. SDJ fans could be heard yelling at referees and banging on bleachers, while ARC players appeared unbothered. The Beavers could be seen gradually feeding off the negative energy in the gym. 

In the fourth set, the Beavers held their lead consistently by seven and eight points, until SJD caught up causing multiple tie scores. It was anybody’s game, as SJD attempted to seal the win while ARC tried for a win to lead into another set. 

With tensions high and emotions flooding the gym, SJD beat ARC in the final set 28-26. The Beavers dropped to 12-2 in the conference while SJD moved up 14-1. 

“In the end, this was just a battle of some good volleyball”, said Carson Lowden, American River women’s volleyball coach, “but overall we’ve improved since our last loss against Delta and we’re just happy that we’re at this level of play.” 

Despite suffering a home loss, the Beavers didn’t dwell on the second loss to SJD. Instead, they focused on the positives of the situation and remembering how far they’ve come into the volleyball conference thus far. 

“There’s always been a rivalry between these two teams and it could’ve been anyone’s game,” said ARC outside hitter Morgan Castaneda. “But we remained positive as a team and we fought against negative energy with positivity while we prepare for other matches.”