Career Night For Helfrich, But Otters Fall In 5

By Press release submission

Oct 13, 2022

Mollin Helfrich puts down career-high 18 kills in loss at San Marcos

Senior middle blocker Mollin Helfrich (Pinole/Salesian Prep) put down a career–high 18 kills but it wasn't enough to stop Cal state San Marcos from rallying for a 19–25, 25–23, 23–25, 25–22, 15–12 win Thursday night at the CSUSM Sports Center.

Hellfrich's 18 kills came against just one error in 36 swings for a .472 attack percentage. Senior outside hitter Lauren Reeves (Atascadero/Templeton HS) matched Helfrich with 18 kills while freshman setter Rilee Read (Las Vegas, Nev./Palo Verdes HS) set the attack with a team season–high 50 assists.

Helfrich, Savanna Maker (Salinas HS) and Mikayla Nolte (Long Beach Wilson HS) led the net defense with three blocks apiece. Senior libero Sam Chavez (Sacramento/St. Francis HS) led a balanced back row with 16 digs.

CSUMB pulled away early and never let off the gas in cruising to the 25–19 win in the opener. It proved to be the only time all night the teams wouldn't be close. The Otters and Cougars played through eight ties before San Marcos pulled out the second set and seven ties plus five lead changes before the Otters won the third to go up two sets to one.

Believe it or not, things got even tighter in the fourth set, where San Marcos broke the 13th tie of the frame at 22–22 by scoring the final three points to force a deciding set. Once again, with CSUMB three points from victory, the Cougars broke the final tie by scoring the last three points to complete the comeback.

THE MATCH WAS OVER WHEN… a Trinity Barr kill broke the 12–12 tie in the first set. San Marcos would not relinquish its final lead.

SET FOR SUCCESS… Freshman setter Rilee Read passed a team season–high 50 assists Thursday night in San Marcos. She is the first Otter to pass 50 assists in a match since Aly Fullbright turned the trick in a win over Dominican University on Sept. 3, 2021.

MOLLIN IN THE MIDDLE… The 18 kills by Mollin Helfrich Thursday at San Marcos not only were a career high, they were the most by an Otter middle blocker since Melanie Lashbrook put down 18 in a win over Cal State L.A. on Sept. 10, 2011.

MOLLIN MAKES HER POINT… 22 of them actually. The 22.0 points scored by Mollin Helfrich Thursday at San Marcos were the most scored by an Otter this season. Lauren Reeves — who scored 20.0 points Thursday — held the previous high of 18.5 points in a win over Cal State Dominguez Hills on Sept. 30.

LEADERS OF THE RAFT… POINTS: Mollin Helfrich 22.0. KILLS: Mollin Helfrich/Lauren Reeves 18. ASSISTS: Rilee Read 50. ACES: Mollin Helfrich/Lauren Reeves/Kaila Uota 2. BLOCKS: Savanna Maker/Mikayla Nolte 3. DIGS: Sam Chavez 16.

THEY'VE GOT NEXT… The Otter continue their 4–match road trip with a flight to Hayward to take on Cal State East Bay Saturday (Oct. 15). First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m.