No. 4 Canyons Sweeps No. 13 Ventura to Earn First Round Playoff Win

The No. 4 College of the Canyons women's volleyball team hosted a home playoff match for the first time in 16 years on Tuesday, with the Cougars able to put together a convincing 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-20) sweep over No. 13 Ventura College in first round action of the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Southern California Regionals.

Despite the sweep, Ventura was able to keep pressure on Canyons throughout the contest with a series of tough serves and a hardnosed defensive effort. 

But in the end, it was the Cougars who extended their current win streak to 13 games, while winning a 19th straight contest in the Cougar Cage.

COC freshman middle blocker Alexa Hesseldenz led the Cougars with a team-high nine kills.

Canyons outside hitter Brooke Garelick added seven kills and a .375 hitting percentage to the cause. The sophomore also chipped in with nine digs. 

Alize Bricot also had a strong game for the Cougars, finishing the night with seven kills and six digs.

COC sophomore setter Katie Rutecki had 31 assists and four kills on five attempts.

Defensively, the Cougars were led by sophomore libero Chelsea Corn who came away with 13 digs to lead the team. Defensive specialist Alexis Serafin also helped pace the attack, as the sophomore finished the match with four aces. 

No. 4 College of the Canyons will next host No. 5 Grossmont College at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, in the second round of the CCCAA SoCal Regional Playoffs.

Canyons previously defeated Grossmont 3-1 (25-19, 25-21, 16-25, 25-18) on Aug. 29, at the annual Grossmont Quad Tournament . 

Grossmont (25-4) clinched its sixth straight Pacific Coast Conference Championship after going 16-0 in conference play.

The Griffins then defeated No. 12 Golden West College 3-2 (25-18, 25-22, 19-25, 16-25, 15-12) in the first round of CCCAA SoCal Regionals, to set up Saturday's match.

The CCCAA women's volleyball postseason tournament will continue next week with third round playoff matches concluding Tuesday, Dec. 1.

College of the Canyons will then serve as host of the 2015 CCCAA Women's Volleyball State Championships being held Dec. 4-6, in Santa Clarita.

Per CCCAA guidelines, admission to Saturday's SoCal Regional playoff game is $12 for adults and $8 for COC staff and students with I.D., seniors over 60 and children under 10.