Volleyball squad overmatched in sets

For the volleyball team, losing in three consecutive sets this season has been nothing new.

A dominating performance by Yuba College prevented Contra Costa College from getting a road win as the Comets fell in consecutive sets 25-9, 25-14 and 25-9 on Friday in Marysville.

CCC (1-7 overall, 1-4 in the Bay Valley Conference) continues to struggle both offensively and defensively, despite picking up its first win of the season against Laney College on Sept. 20.

On Friday night the Comets were overmatched against Yuba (9-1 overall, 4-0 in the BVC) as they were unable to gain any momentum throughout the course of the match.

“(Yuba’s) offense was just better and our defense wasn’t up to par,” Comet outside hitter Jazmine Mendoza said.

Mendoza said there was no denying that the 49ers were the more dominant team as they hit the ball wherever they wanted.

“They were just a better team and more experienced,” she said.

The Comets failed to gain any rhythm offensively, being held under 10 points in two of the three sets.

Part of CCC’s offensive woes came from insufficient passing from its setter, Efaraima Danao, which prevented the squad from capitalizing on scoring opportunities against a dominant Yuba team
“Effie has had better games setting up her teammates,” Comet coach Zachary Shrieve said. “She can do better and she will.”

Defensively the Comets struggled as well.

Mendoza said that CCC showed a lack of proper footwork on the court, which caused the team to falter when attempting blocks or tips at the net.

The 49ers were able to use their size advantage over the shorter Comet squad, as they easily found holes in the Comets’ defensive formations.

Comet middle blocker Jessica Neville said while the Comet squad knew they were playing against one of the better teams in the BVC, the team still played hard and competed well.

“I’m proud of our team. We didn’t back down considering who we were going against,” Neville said. “(Yuba) was much quicker and accurate (with their ball placement).”

The Comets continued to fight for digs, diving on the floor, but they still came up short as the 49ers cruised to their fourth BVC victory without a loss.

Shrieve said his squad has to continue to improve in practice and in games in order to turn its season around and eventually reach playoff contention.

Shrieve also said that he looks forward to facing Yuba again later in the season.

“When a team beats you, you want to get them back the next game (you play them),” he said.

Friday’s loss drops the Comets to eighth place in the BVC, leaving them three games out of first place in the conference.

The Comets will host Napa Valley College (1-4 overall) in the Gymnasium today at 6 p.m.

Mendoza said despite the losses which are piling up for the Comets, the players continue to remain optimistic that they can do better in games and improve.