LONG BEACH – The Santa Barbara City College Beach Volleyball team entered the day as the second seed in their pool and finished just shy of the final round at the 3C2A State Championship, claiming a tie for third place at Long Beach City College on Thursday.
The day didn't start well for the Vaqueros, who ran into a stout Fresno City College team and fell 5-0.
Things took a chaotic turn in their second matchup, as Santa Barbara protested the match against Mira Costa for submitting an illegal lineup.
Trailing 1-0, the pair of Sage Thorne-Thomsen and Madelynn Papia battled hard to win in three sets, 20-22, 24-22, 15-17.
Amid the confusion, Santa Barbara's fifth pair lost, and it looked like the Vaqueros would leave the state championships with two losses.
After officials discussed the matter, Mira Costa officially forfeited their fourth match, and the third match was replayed.
Tana Long and Lina Husek rose to the occasion and claimed a victory for the Vaqueros in the third set, 21-9, 12-21, 9-15.
San Diego Mesa claimed the 3C2A championship with a 3-1 victory over Fresno.
The pair of Thorne-Thomsen and Papia continues today at the state pairs championship, they are scheduled to begin play after 1 p.m.
