During the second set, Long Beach Vikings defensive specialist Hazel Orozco took a harsh dive, injuring herself and taking herself out of the game on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the El Camino College West Gymnasium.
The Warriors took the first set 25-20. Though one set behind and one player down, the Vikings were able to beat the El Camino College Warriors 3-1, conquering three sets in a row to win.
El Camino College Warriors Libero, Cynthia Nario, receives a serve from the Long Beach City College Vikings. Nario recorded 35 receptions against the Vikings on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. (Riley Abrams | The Union)
Vikings volleyball coach Tyler Jackson said, “I think we started off really slow the first set. I think each set after that we started finding more of our rhythm and more of our group.”
Vikingsoutside hitter Jourdynaire Kekauoha-Viena said seeing her teammate get hurt brought out some emotions during the game.
“We started playing for her, especially because we’ve seen the other people laughing at her – the other team, the crowd. I’m not gonna let somebody talk about our teammate like that,” she said.
El Camino College Warriors Middle Blocker, Cali Smith, gets set up by the Warriors setter, Justine Sapitanan. Smith had 3 kills against the Long Beach City Vikings on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. (Riley Abrams | The Union)
Kekauoha-Viena had 15 total kills in the game, including the final point to end the game.
“I think they definitely leaned on each other and said that they wanted to play for that player,” Jackson said.