College of Marin Volleyball hosted one of their toughest tests of the year on Friday with a home tilt against the Solano College Falcons. Marin brought effort, but the skill of the Falcons was too much to contend with. The Mariners went down in straight sets 25-14, 25-12 and 25-11. Despite the loss, the home team battled in stretches and showed they can compete with the best in the conference.
College of Marin did their best against the long-armed Falcons. The Mariners hit positive in the opening set, but could manage just six kills against five aces. Solano made Marin pay for their mistakes as the visitors hit .423 in the first set with 13 kills against just two errors on 26 total attacks. The result was an opening set score of 25-14 in favor of Solano.
The second set saw Marin endure a number of self-inflicted wounds, with nine hitting errors in 26 total attempts. Solano improved their efficiency with 12 kills on 19 total attacks as Marin fell 25-12 to go behind by two sets in the match.
Fatigue took its toll on Marin in the final set as they clawed but lost to Solano 25-11 to seal the match.
Beatrice Heimbrodt led the way for the Mariners with 9.5 total points. She had five kills, three aces and three block assists as well as six digs. Makenzie Dugan tallied nine assists and seven digs as well for Marin. Haley Del Rio paced the Solano College Falcons with 12 kills and 15.5 points overall.
The loss dropped the Mariners' record to 4-4 in the Bay Valley Conference and 8-12 overall. They sit four games back of the first place Falcons.
The Mariners have a week of rest and recovery before they begin the home stretch of the season. Their next match is Wednesday, October 30th at 6pm at home against the Los Medanos Mustangs.