Strong finish caps successful weekend for Giants volleyball team
By Nick Giannandrea
COS ATHLETICS
College of the Sequoias women's volleyball team began to find its stride during the second week of its coronavirus pandemic-delayed and shortened five-week season.
Behind a combined 24 kills from Allyson Garcia, the Giants defeated Antelope Valley College 3-1 and 3-0 while rebounding from a pair of losses against Bakersfield to open the season.
"They played really well," Sequoias coach Kim Rix said. "They played much better as a team."
The Giants improved to 2-2 on the season with a 25-22, 25-10, 25-16 sweep of the Marauders (0-4) on March 13 at Porter Field House.
"That last set was great for us," Rix said. "They took control of the match and finished strong. They were focused and everyone did their job. That's all you can ask for."
Garcia, a freshman out of Dinuba High, led the way with 10 kills, 15 digs and two ace serves.
Hazel Martinez, a returning all-conference selection from Mission Oak, added nine kills, nine digs and an ace.
Sequoias' offensive attack also featured six kills and eight assists from Skylen Goulart (Mission Oak); and three kills and four digs from Abigail Billingsley (Redwood).
Mykia Campbell (Coalinga) fed the offense with 13 assists, to go along with six digs and four aces, while Gia Rozadilla (Central-Fresno) paced the backline with 30 digs and an assist. Claire Toomey (University Prep-Visalia) contributed six digs and three aces.
"I feel like this was a big turning point," Rix said. "We struggled last week a little bit with first match nerves, a new situation, playing with masks around their necks, all the protocols, noone in the stands. So I think we were getting our focus, and hopefully, we'll just move forward from here."
The Giants rallied 20-25, 25-11, 25-22, 25-23 for their first win of the season March 12 against Antelope Valley in Lancaster.
Garcia had a match-leading 14 kills, along with two digs and two aces.
Martinez delivered 10 kills and five digs, Jayda English (Lemoore) had five kills and Billingsley added three kills for Sequoias.
Campbell contributed 24 assists, three digs and two aces, while Rozadilla had 17 digs and two aces.
Sequoias' season continues with matches against Cerro Coso on March 18-19.
The Coyotes visit Porter Field House at 5 p.m. March 18, and the Giants travel to Ridgecrest for the rematch at 5 p.m. March 19.
Cerro Coso opened its season by losing two matches -- 3-1 and 3-0 -- against Bakersfield on March 10-11.
Sequoias also lost matches by scores of 3-1 and 3-0 against Bakersfield, a state playoff participant last season.
"We know we have some really great matches ahead," Rix said. "We really are going to have to pick up our game if we want a shot."
