Cougars start season 4-0 to win title at Pierce Kickoff Classic

The College of the Canyons women's volleyball program concluded its first weekend of competition in championship fashion, going a perfect 4-0 to win the Third Annual Pierce Kickoff Classic.

The event, hosted by Pierce College Aug. 25-26, saw the Cougars drop just one set over the two days of play.

COC picked up a 3-0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-13) victory over Golden West College then went on to defeat Pasadena City College 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-10) later in the day.

Canyons sophomore outside hitter Emily Burns recorded a combined 28 kills on the day to lead the Cougars. Burns also recorded six aces in the opening contest.

Elsewhere on the court, freshman Caroline Paige finished with a combined 18 kills, and also added 14 digs in the opener.

On day two, the Cougars squared off against host Pierce College and came away with a 3-0 (25-13, 25-22, 25-17) result.

Burns (13 kills), Page (eight kills) and Shayla Johnson (eight kills) led the Cougars' attack, while Demi Dawson led the way with 18 digs. Rachel Perez tallied 29 assists in that contest.

In the championship match, Canyons faced a familiar foe in conference rival Bakersfield College. Though the two programs are scheduled to meet twice more this season, it was COC that won the first round by way of a 3-1 (25-18, 25-19, 17-25, 28-26) result.

Four Cougars recorded double-digit kill totals, with Burns (17), Page (15), Johnson (14) and Toni Bito (10) able to do damage. Perez was also a key contributor, with her 52 assists and three aces.

Page led COC with 16 digs, followed by Johnson at 15 and Dawson with 14.

Canyons next travels to face Irvine Valley College at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 1. 

Stay up to date on all this season's action by following the College of the Canyons Athletic department on social media at @COCathletics on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

— Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information