Giants Overcome West Hills Coalinga in Four-Set Thriller; Sweep Reedley on Friday 

VISALIA, CA  – The College of the Sequoias women's volleyball team had a stellar week, sweeping Reedley in straight sets on Friday night after a hard-fought, four-set victory over West Hills Coalinga on Wednesday. The Giants, now gaining momentum in conference play, showcased their versatility and determination with back-to-back wins that highlighted both their offensive firepower and defensive resilience. 

COS 3, Coalinga 1 

Earlier in the week, the Giants (10-6, 2-0) faced a more difficult challenge against Coalinga (10-3, 1-2) but rose to the occasion with a 20-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-23 victory. After dropping the first set, COS rallied behind a commanding performance from outside hitter Vianka Martinez (Golden West HS), who notched a match-high 22 kills on .309 hitting to help the Giants turn the match in their favor. 

"We were tested in that match, and I'm really proud of the way the team responded after the first set," Rix said. "Coalinga came out strong, but we stuck to our game plan and didn't let the early setback affect us." 

The turning point came in the second set when setter Julieanne Gerbrandt (Dinuba HS) expertly distributed 29 assists, leading to a more balanced attack. Gerbrandt also shone defensively, adding 14 digs, as the Giants' back-row defense played a pivotal role in keeping the rallies alive. 

Olivia Samaniego (McFarland HS) continued her strong play, recording 11 kills on a .478 hitting percentage, while Faizia Mamea (Las Vegas, NV) and Trinity Tavita (Las Vegas, NV) combined for 10 kills and 4 blocks at the net, providing critical support in the middle. 

"Our blocking and net play were key in that win," Rix explained. "Olivia, Faizia, and Trinity really stepped up to shut down their offense at crucial moments." 

As the match wore on, COS capitalized on key moments, with timely aces from Abigail Camarillo (Redwood HS) and Kassandra Perez-Moran (El Diamante HS), who each contributed 2 aces to keep Coalinga on the defensive. In the final set, the Giants' defensive resolve proved too much for West Hills, allowing Sequoias to close out the match and secure an important win. 

COS 3, Reedley 0 

College of the Sequoias delivered a masterclass in efficiency and control on the road Friday, sweeping Reedley in straight sets, 25-17, 25-16, 25-15. From the first start, the Giants dominated both offensively and defensively, keeping Reedley off-balance with a relentless attack and an impenetrable defense. 

"Our team came out focused and executed the game plan beautifully," said Head Coach Kim Rix. "We've been working hard on staying consistent and minimizing errors, and tonight was a great example of that." 

Martinez led the Giants' offense with a standout performance, posting 14 kills on a .324 hitting percentage. Middle blocker Samaniego was also a key contributor, adding 7 kills and 5 blocks, frustrating Reedley's hitters at the net. 

Setter Gerbrandt orchestrated the offense with precision, tallying 20 assists, while Mariainez Lopez (Dinuba HS) chipped in with 5 kills on a .333 hitting percentage. The Giants' serving game was strong throughout, with Samaniego serving up 3 aces to keep Reedley out of system. 

Defensively, the Giants were rock solid. Allison Wood (Immanuel HS) and Kassandra Perez-Moran led the back-row defense with 7 and 5 digs, respectively, helping COS limit Reedley's attack to a negative hitting percentage over the match. 

"Our defense was locked in tonight. The back row did an incredible job of reading the game and giving us the chance to transition into attack," Rix added. 

By the Numbers: 

• Reedley: Sequoias swept in three sets (25-17, 25-16, 25-15) 

• Martinez: 14 kills, .324 hitting 

• Samaniego: 7 kills, 5 blocks 

• Gerbrandt: 20 assists, 7 digs 

• West Hills Coalinga: Sequoias won in four sets (20-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-23) 

• Martinez: 22 kills, .309 hitting 

• Gerbrandt: 29 assists, 14 digs 

• Samaniego: 11 kills, .478 hitting 

Upcoming Matches 

COS continues to ride their strong performances as they continue conference play, looking to further build on their growing momentum as they head into the thick of the season. They will host Merced next Wednesday, October 2, starting at 6 p.m. On Friday, October 4, they will travel to Lemoore, match set to start at 6 p.m.