SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Assistant coach Natalie Wells stressed the importance of preparing her team mentally, as well as physically, for the matches today in the CRC mini-tournament.  It certainly played dividends this afternoon, as CRC split a pair of matches, going 1-1 in the event.

The Hawks opened the event with a noon match against Siskiyous, and it proved to be the most competitive one of the entire event.  Both Siskiyous and the Hawks opened with strong performances in the first game, and held true to form for the duration of the match, which CRC took 3-0.  Cosumnes River took the first game 26-24 after a spectacular play by freshman Nancy Pacheco, giving the Hawks a 1-0 advantage. 

The second game would also prove to be a rollercoaster ride as both teams traded points for the entire frame, before sophomore Gabi Hinz put the game away for good, as CRC took game two 25-21.  Cosumnes River came out strong out of the gate in the third game, taking an 8-1 advantage early on an Alicia Madriago kill.  The Eagles didn't go down without a fight, however, playing the Hawks tight before eventually falling 27-25 in the third game to lose the match 3-0.

Cosumnes River was idle for a match, as De Anza battled Siskiyous in the CRC mini-tournament, with De Anza eventually taking the match 3-0.  The Hawks then faced the Dons, and the match was competitive early, with CRC leading through much of game one.  However, De Anza battled back late, eventually taking the game 25-21.  CRC then struggled through much of the rest of the match, as De Anza took game two in convincing fashion 25-14, before taking the third game 25-21 for the 3-0 victory.

The Hawks will look to close their homestand next Friday, when they play host to visiting Redwoods (Sept. 20).  That match is scheduled for 3 PM.  They'll then head to Marin (Sept. 26) for a match before opening Big 8 play on the road to Sierra (Oct. 2).