Palomar beach volleyball opens season with split on opening day

Palomar beach volleyball opened its season with a 4-1 victory over Santa Ana College before dropping a 3-2 decision to El Camino College in a doubleheader on Feb. 6.

Against Santa Ana, the Comets were dominant from top to bottom, sweeping four of five flights. Emma Bambe and Reese Maffitt opened the lineup at No. 1, rolling to a 21-9, 21-11 sweep. Kiana Merrill and Charlie McLaughin followed with a straight-set win at No. 3, 21-13, 21-13, and Annie Cummings and Skylar Detmeir closed out their match in two at No. 4. Caden Pinto and Janice Garcia delivered the most dramatic performance of the afternoon at No. 2, dropping the first set 14-21 before rallying to take the next two, 21-12 and 21-15, to seal the team victory. Grayson Grein and Denise Garia dropped a three-set decision at No. 5 for the Comets' lone loss.

In the second match of the day, Palomar carried momentum into a road contest against El Camino but found stiffer competition, ultimately falling 3-2. Bambe and Maffitt continued their strong play at No. 1, sweeping Justine Spitanan and Ava Ober 21-11, 21-6. Pinto and Garcia added a second Palomar point with a 21-19, 21-17 win at No. 2 over Jerelyn Justo and Yasmine Wantabe. El Camino answered with three straight flights, picking up victories at No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5 to take the overall match.

Palomar will next travel to Palm Desert to face College of the Desert.