Hawks Fly Home with Sixth Victory After Split

SALINAS (9-12) - Cosumnes River took to the road to end their non-conference schedule as they took on Cuesta College and Hartnell College. In the first CCCWVCA ranking of the season, Hartnell was ranked #11. The Hawks gave Hartnell all they could handle in a close three set match.

Against Hartnell, the Hawks struggled early before regrouping to make a run against the Panthers. The end score of the first set saw the Hawks fall 25-17. During the first set, the Hawks were unable to get in sync from the defensive and offensive end. Cosumnes River regrouped in a thrilling second set which saw the Panthers win 28-26 which gave the Panthers a 2-0 lead in the match. In the third set, the Hawks came out with a furious start. The Hawks held their largest lead of the set at eight. However, the visiting team were unable to hold their momentum which allowed Hartnell to catch up and ultimately take the lead. After a long and extended second set, the Hawks started out slow once again before falling in the third set 25-17. On the offensive end, Kylie Pires was the leader for the Hawks. Hitting a solid .296, Pires ended the set with twelve kills on twenty-seven attempts. Abigail Hicks paced the defensive backline with thirteen digs. Ashlee Dandeneau and Larissa Vogelbacher each contributed six digs. 

The match game of the day saw the Hawks take on the Cuesta College Cougars. The Hawks started off slow with a seventeen-point first set against Cuesta's twenty-five points. After the first set loss, Cosumnes regrouped to win the next two sets 25-18 and 25-19. During the fourth set, the Hawks let up a bit and lost 25-19. With their third match of the season that has gone five sets, the Hawks have plenty of experience in short deciding sets. The Hawks won the fifth set 15-10. This was the Hawks' sixth victory overall and brings them to 2-1 on the season in five set matches. Ashanti Cason hit .231 for the Hawks and set a season high with ten kills in twenty-six attempts. Rebakkah McLaughlin posted nine kills, fourteen digs, and nineteen assists. This is the second time she has been one stat away from a triple-double. Off the bench, Esmeralda Hernandez dug eight balls with two service aces. 

Player of the Game:

Up Next-The Hawks will start Big 8 Conference play on Friday against Folsom Lake College. The match will be played in Folsom at 6:30 pm.