Canyons Tops No. 25 Irvine Valley in Five-Set Slugfest

By Mari Kneisel/COC Sports Information

IRVINE — College of the Canyons took down No. 25 Irvine Valley College in a five-set action-packed contest for its first win of the 2024 season. Set scores were 25-21, 29-27, 21-25, 24-26, 15-9.

Canyons (1-2) took the first two sets, but not with ease as host Irvine Valley (0-2) pushed the Cougars to match points several times. The Lasers battled out wins the next two sets to push the match to a fifth, however the Cougars away victorious at 15-9.

COC produced a total of 67 kills on the court with 19 of those coming from sophomore Ana Vasquez. The outside hitter/opposite worked in all five set while hitting .315 and claimed 11 digs along with an assist

Fellow sophomore Leah Gillie joined Vasquez in all five sets finishing with 16 kills of her own and a kill percentage of .448 along with six digs, two assists and five solo blocks. Gillie also laid claim to two service aces. 

Among those with double digit kills was Canyons freshman Madison Andrews. The 6'2" middle blocker from Saugus High School ended the night hitting.455 across her five sets, claiming 11 kills for the Cougars. Andrews also added two digs and two solo blocks. 

COC freshman setter Morgan Dumlao also made her presence known with 45 assists on the night. Additionally, the Hart High School grad served up a pair of aces alongside four kills and and 13 digs.

Sophomore libero Presley Golphenee led the Cougars with 28 digs. The Saugus alum also worked well offensively, producing seven assists and three service aces. 

Canyons freshman Sofia Miranda racked up a team-high four aces while totaling seven kills and eight digs. 

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 X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.