This evening, the Yavapai College Volleyball team made quick work against the visiting College of Southern Nevada Coyotes, beating the team at home 3-0. This felt especially great considering this game kicked off Yavapai College's Hall of Fame Alumni weekend, where many alumni were in attendance tonight.
Game one started off with a #15 Tiona Drumm kill, and that would set the tone for the rest of the night. Although the game was very close, with the score going back and forth for the majority of this first game, it did not stop great offensive plays from being made. A great #4 Emily Hogg score would lead to a #16 Trinity PIlimai spike, and a tricky #10 Jocelyn Tavares play would help YC take the lead 11-9. More Drumm offensive plays would give the Roughriders a lot of much needed momentum, but the visiting Coyotes had brought the energy on their side as well. Some Tavares and #3 Micah Gardner defense would help Yavapai go on a 6-2 run, and with yet another Drumm spike, Yavapai would win game 1 at 25-20.
The second match was not as competitive as the first match. Great early serves from #6 Teodora Bulatovic, as well as some spikes by Hogg, Drumm, and #8 Hanna Pereira, would lead to great early offense. The difference maker in this game was some added defensive efforts, with big blocks coming from Pereira, #11 Hannah West, and Tavares, Yavapai pulled way ahead at 17-9. Late game serves from #17 Makaya Moody helped widen the gap, and with back to back kills from Gardner and Drumm, Yavapai was able to dominate their frustrated opponents 25-9.
This last game between the Roughriders and the Coyotes was a lot closer than the previous bout. More kills by Tiona Drumm, as well as some defensive wall building from duo Hogg and Gardner, would help Yavapai start strong. A kill down the line by Hannah West and an ace from Drumm also helped their efforts. However, the opponents were determined to get at least one win this game, and they were cheering on as their team made great offensive and defensive decisions to keep the game close. Big blocks by Pereira and Tavares would help the offense get going later in the game, with big kills by Hogg and Gardner. The crowd began to get on their feet, as they knew the end was near with the score at 23-18. Some misfires had the crowd worried, but a final Tiona Drumm score made the final score 25-21, Yavapai College sweeping 3-0.
