Bakersfield spoils debut weekend for Giants volleyball
College of the Sequoias ran into a Southern California powerhouse during its season-opening weekend, losing 3-1 and 3-0 against Bakersfield, which finished last season ranked 16th in the state and came one win shy of reaching the Elite Eight championship tournament.
The Giants lost 25-13, 25-14, 19-25, 25-23 at Bakersfield on March 5 in their first match in more than a year after the start of the 2020-2021 season was delayed because of safety precautions relating to the coronavirus pandemic.
Returning All-Central Valley Conference selection Hazel Martinez (Mission Oak High) led Sequoias with 17 kills and seven digs.
Freshman Allyson Garcia (Dinuba) contributed 15 kills and 10 digs.
The Giants also received 30 assists from Mykia Campbell (Coalinga) and three digs and two assists from Gia Rozadilla (Central-Fresno), both returning All-CVC honorable mentions.
Sequoias didn't fare any better inside their home Porter Field House, either, losing 25-17, 25-19, 25-15 on March 6.
Martinez again led the way with 14 kills, nine digs and an assist.
Garcia delivered seven kills and 14 digs, while Campbell had 21 assists and Rozadilla added 10 digs and an assist.
The Giants also got seven digs from freshman Katy Haworth (Visalia).
Sequoias will travel to Lancaster to play Antelope Valley (0-2) at 4 p.m. March 12, then host the Marauders at 4 p.m. March 13.
Antelope Valley opened the season by getting swept by Taft, 25-21, 25-20, 25-14 on March 5 and 25-17, 25-13, 25-22 on March 6.
