Today is day 2 of the Yavapai College Volleyball Invitational, and the Roughriders came out strong against their tough opponent, the Chandler-Gilbert Community College Coyotes. As much as everyone would have loved to keep the winning streak going, Yavapai would inevitably fall to this squad in 4 matches, losing 3-1.

In the first match, #15 Tiona Drumm started off strong with a spike into the center of the opponent's court, followed shortly thereafter by a block by #8 Hanna Pereira. The team's chemistry was proving to work wonders, as #6 Teodora Bulatovic was able to easily assist the offensive efforts of #3 Micah Gardner. Although the offense was humming, with supporting plays from #10 Jocelyn Tavares and #16 Trinity Pilimai, the score was tied for most of the match. A question that has often come up when discussing this team is whether or not they can switch to that second gear of efficient chemistry and communication after some early game blunders, and in this case, that second gear was reached. Drumm would show a lot of hustle, diving for wild balls on multiple occasions, as well as more offensive potency from Pereira, leading to a quick 5-2 run midgame. Even with the defensive efforts of Garnder and #4 Emily Hogg, the Coyotes were inching their way back up the leaderboard. Near the end of the match, both teams had great volleys, but only one team could achieve victory this round. After a Hogg kill, YC would take the win, 25-22.

Chandler-Gilbert was able to learn from their mistakes of the first match, and was able to capitalize on some of Yavapai's blunders. The intensity Tiona Drumm had maintained in the first match carried over into the second match, but it led to overpowered strikes that did not create points. #18 Michalina Oles checked into the game and immediately took control with a kill into the opponent's front left side, as well as helping Bulatovic with a block. Back to back strikes from Drumm and Pilimai caused the audience and their teammates to erupt into cheers and applause, yet the game was still being won by the away team. Even with the comeback help from #11 Hannah West, Tiona Drumm, and Hanna Pereira spikes, the Roughriders would lose 26-24. 

The overall efficiency of the team had gone down, as it directly correlated with the aggressiveness they were trying to maintain throughout each match. Whenever tensions were high, it was matched with an equal level of intensity. Match 3 felt different, however, as Drumm managed to corral the aggression from the previous matches. With #13 Ciara Yearby taking place as the Libero, she was able to hype up her teammates. And with an immediate Trinity Pilimai kill, this match was off to the races. Micah Gardner and #9 Marija Raonic provided a wall of defense in the early part of the match, and alongside with #17 Makaya Moody serving effectively, Yavapai remained in the game. However, Chandler-Gilbert proved to be a tough match up, as their offense was overpowered. Even with back to back blocks from Pereira, and Moody diving after every ball that came in her vicinity, the Coyotes would steal this one 25-19, causing the Roughriders to be down 2-1.

This last match proved to be important. Yavapai had yet to lose during their own invitational, and they needed to start off with the tactics they knew would help them win. However, that did not happen as planned, as the Coyotes rattled off a 7-0 run to start the game. Their offense humming, all the Roughriders could do was stand their ground. Drumm and Pereira would make defensive walls along the left side. Tavares and Pilimai would dive and prevent loose balls from touching the ground, as well as back to back Pilimai kills to keep the momentum high. But as far as comebacks were concerned, this match was over before it even began, and the Chandler-Gilbert Coyotes would win 25-17.