Volleyball improves to 5-0 in conference

Volleyball stayed undefeated in the Central Valley Conference as they defeated Merced 3-2 on Friday.

"I was pleased with the team for pulling out the win in the fifth set," head coach Kim Rix said. "Gabi Crookshanks was a huge asset to our team tonight. She finished with 22 kills and only one error. It was her best match of the season."

Both teams kept it close in every set but the third. Merced one the first set 25-23. COS proceeded to win the next two back-to-back 25-20 and 25-15. Merced would not go down easily and forced a fifth set after winning the fourth 25-23. In the fifth both teams alternated the lead but the Giants held off the Lady Devils 15-10.

Freshman setter Valerie Vargas (Exeter) started and had 20 assists. Brittney Roush (El Diamante) digged out 33 while Idalis Rubalcava (Sierra Pacific) digged out 14. Rubalcava also had 11 kills.

With the win, the Giants make a case to be in the CCCWVCA's Top 25 in the state. COS is 8-3 overall and 5-0 in conference.

COS next game is Wednesday Oct. 5 as they host Columbia. Last season the Giants swept Columbia 3-0 in both meetings. The match will begin at 5 p.m. inside Thomas Porter Field House.