Canyons Clinches Program's Eighth Conference Championship
By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director
No. 18 College of the Canyons clinched the 2024 Western State Conference (WSC), South Division championship with a 3-1 victory over visiting West L.A. College on 'sophomore night' at the Cougar Cage on Wednesday. Set scores were 25-12, 25-12, 23-25, 25-11.
The victory was the eighth straight for Canyons (15-8, 10-1) dating back to Oct. 11. The conference title is the eighth in program history (1999, 2000, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2022, 2024). COC will also advance to the 3C2A Southern California Regional playoffs for the 20th time in its history. The Cougars began the week as the state's No. 18 ranked team accoording to most recent California Community College Women's Volleyball Coaches Association (CCCWVCA) statewide rankings.
Wednesday's victory over West L.A. (2-17, 0-11) came following a brief 'sophomore night' ceremony dedicated to the squad's six sophomores (Leah Gillie, Ana Vasquez, Kaitlyn Vazin, Sophia Aranzazu, Presley Golphenee and Celeste Anaya) who will be leaving the program at season's end.
Canyons controlled the match for the majority but did a stall a bit in a third set that eventually went to the Wildcats at 25-23. The Cougars' three set victories all came via double digit margins.
The Cougars served up 15 aces in the match with seven coming from Aranzazu. She also recorded 18 assists, a kill and three digs on the night.
Vasquez led the way with 16 kills to go with seven digs and a combined four blocks. Sofia Miranda added eight kills and Rylee Booth finished the match with seven. Miranda hit .538 for the match to lead the Cougars.
Golphenee's 20 digs were a match best. She also added an ace and a kill along the way.
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.
—Photo by Mari Kneisel/COC Sports Information