Palomar drops both matches to open conference play

Palomar fell to Mt. San Jacinto College 3-2 and San Diego City College 3-2 on the opening day of PCAC play, dropping to 3-6 on the season.

Against Mt. San Jacinto, the Comets took flights one and five but couldn't secure the decisive third point. Emma Bambe and Reese Maffitt swept Destiny Affor and Daija Malcolm 21-19, 21-15 at No. 1, and Kate Johnson and Grayson Grein closed out their No. 5 match with a 21-18, 21-17 sweep. Kiana Merrill and Charlie McLaughlin pushed their No. 3 match to three sets before falling 21-16, 19-21, 16-14, and MSJC took No. 2 and No. 4 in straight sets to claim the match.

The second match against City proved equally frustrating, with Palomar again winning two flights but falling short of the team point. Caden Pinto and Janice Garcia took care of business at No. 2 in straight sets, and Annie Cummings and Skylar Zetmeir gutted out a three-set win at No. 4, 21-17, 20-22, 15-10. City swept No. 1 and controlled No. 3 and No. 5 — including a three-set victory over Grayson Grein and Denise Garcia at No. 5 — to close out the match 3-2.

Palomar opens the second week of conference play at Mt. San Jacinto College, where the Comets will face San Diego Mesa College and San Diego Miramar College.