Giants' volleyball seeded 8th in NorCal Regionals, will host Delta on Nov. 23
By Nick Giannandrea
COS ATHLETICS
College of the Sequoias' women's volleyball team has won 85 percent of its home matches this season.
And after their best season under eighth-year coach Kim Rix, the Giants have an opportunity to add to that total.
Sequoias (23-6) was seeded No. 8 for the Northern California Regional Playoffs and will host No. 9 San Joaquin Delta (16-9) in a first-round match at 6 p.m. Nov. 23. Admission is $5 and facial coverings are required.
"It won't determine the outcome, but it won't hurt," Rix said of hosting a playoff match at Porter Field House, where the Giants are 11-2. "I feel like having a home match in general is an advantage. Traveling can be exhausting. Thankfully, our president (Brent Calvin) and our Athletics Director (Brent Davis) have allowed fans to come to our matches. Being able to have family and friends, people who want you to be successful, helps."
Rix was hopeful the Giants would receive a top eight seed, which guarantees a home match, after being ranked No. 15 overall and No. 8 in Northern California in the final California Community College Women's Volleyball Coaches' Association poll.
Sequoias also was ranked No. 17 in the state and No. 8 in NorCal in RPI, a factor in determining playoff seeding after finishing second in the Central Valley Conference behind Fresno City at 14-2.
"These girls have worked so hard," Rix said. "We're grateful to be in the playoffs. It's an honor to be able to continue to compete. There are some great teams out there."
Up first for the Giants is Delta, which finished third in the Big 8 Conference at 12-4. The Big 8 produced five NorCal Regional participants overall, including fourth-seeded Sierra, No. 5 American River, No. 15 Cosumnes River and No. 18 Modesto.
Sequoias didn't face Delta during its nonconference schedule, but did defeat Sierra in four sets (25-16, 25-22, 19-25, 25-16) and lost to American River in five sets (25-19, 21-25, 25-17, 17-25, 15-13) on Sept. 3 at the Fresno Classic.
Delta lost twice in four sets against Sierra, and got swept in three sets twice by American River.
If the Giants win, they would advance to the second round Nov. 29, likely against top-seeded Feather River, which awaits the lowest remaining seed from the three play-in matches: No. 19 Marin at No. 14 De Anza; N. 18 Modesto at No. 15 Cosumnes River and No. 17 Ohlone at No. 16 Hartnell.
Sequoias enters the postseason as winners of seven straight matches and 21 straight sets since an Oct. 15 loss to Fresno City.
And the Giants appear to be healthy for the first time in several weeks.
Allyson Garcia (Dinuba High) and Brenna Crabtree (San Joaquin Memorial-Fresno) -- both freshmen outside hitters -- have missed time over the past month with injuries. Both have returned to practice and are expected to be available for the playoff match.
Rix praised freshmen Victoria Flores (Woodlake), Makinzie Albright (Woodlake) and Claire Toomey (University Prep) for stepping in for Garcia and Crabtree.
Garcia is Sequoias' second-leading hitter with 207 kills. Crabtree is sixth with 51 kills. Freshman Mia Gilcrest (Redwood) leads the Giants with 345 kills. Freshman Morgan Hatton (Tulare Union), sophomore Hazel Martinez (Mission Oak) and sophomore Jayda English (Lemoore) have also been major contributors offensively with 156, 141 kills and 60 kills, respectively.
Sequoias' offense has been fed by sophomore Mykia Campbell (Coalinga) and freshman Abigail Billingsley (Redwood), who have 445 and 364 assists, respectively.
The Giants' backrow has been paced by freshman Andrea Jauregui (Redwood), who has 438 digs. Gilcrest (249 digs), Garcia (232 digs), Campbell (152 digs) and Billingsley (102 digs) have also been backrow standouts.
"I couldn't be more proud of this team," Rix said. "They are literally the best team I've ever coached, and I've coached a long time. It's great to have athletes who are willing to learn and work hard and put in the effort to be better."
Sequoias is making its sixth straight postseason appearance in a complete championship season under Rix, a former standout Giants' player.
The state playoffs were canceled last season because of precautions related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
