Canyons Splits Pair of Matches at El Camino Tri-Tourney

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director

TORRANCE — College of the Canyons played a pair of matches at the annual El Camino College Tri-Tourney on Wednesday, first taking No. 8 Grossmont College to the full five sets in a 3-2 loss before sweeping host El Camino in the afternoon affair. 

Canyons (4-4) took an early 2-0 advantage over Grossmont (7-4) before narrowly falling in the fifth frame. Set scores were 21-25, 21-25, 25-2, 25-19, 13-15. 

The Cougars were led in their attack by sophomores Ana Vasquez (17 kills), Leah Gillie (12 kills) and Celesta Anaya (eight kills). 

Gillie hit .611 for the match on 18 total attacks, while adding a pair of aces, three digs and a combined three blocks (one solo). Vasquez finished with three aces and 14 digs to lead COC in both categories.

Canyons recorded 13 aces in the match with Savannah Anaya, Sophia Aranzazu and Presley Golphenee all ending the match with two apiece.  

Kaitlyn Vazin finished with 10 digs to represent the only other Cougar to reach double digits in that category. Morgan Dumlao tallied 35 assists with an ace, eight digs and a pair of block assists. 

Canyons vs. El Camino

Later in the day COC returned to the court for a 3-0 sweep over El Camino (2-6). Set scores were 25-22, 25-19, 25-22. 

Gillie (seven kills) and Vasquez (seven kills) continued to lead the way with Savannah Anaya (six kills) and Rylee Booth (six kills also highly involved in the action.  Sofia Miranda was next with five kills.

Savannah Anaya hit .500 for the match to provide a steady presence for the Cougars while Vasquez recorded five aces to lead the squad. 

COC combined for three blocks and 14 block assists. Gillie and Vasquez shared that lead with five block assists each.

Dumlao (16 assists) and Aranzazu (12 assists) split the setting responsibilities and Golphenee led with 16 digs from the libero position.

Canyons returns to the Cougar Cage on Friday, Sept. 13 to host Mt. San Jacinto College. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m. with that contest being live streamed to fans free of charge via the Cougars Sports Network.

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.