TC Splits Four Matches in Volleyball Tournament

by Dennis McCall
Taft Midway Driller 

Taft College split its four matches Friday and Saturday in the San Joaquin Delta volleyball tournament. 

"We played pretty well against some tough teams," said head coach Kanoe Bandy.  "We went 2-and-2 and had some bright spots." 

She singled out the work of sophomore setter Mele Yama, who worked all four matches. 

Bandy has gone with a two-setter system, but the other stayed home because of a team rule infraction. "Mele did a great job for us both days," she said.  "Although she is a sophomore, she really didn't play last year." Mele dished up 115 assists, getting more work as the tournament progressed. 

TC opened against eventual tournament champion Cabrillo, which swept the Cougars. 

Taft bounced back with wins over Butte and Solano before finishing with a five-set loss to Gavilan, a repeat of what happened when the teams opened the season at TC on Sept. 3. 

"It wasn't as tough to take this time because we definitely should have won when we played at home," Bandy said. 

Tournament recap: 
Cabrillo 3, TC 0 (25-16, 25-14, 25-16) 
Chanel Cantere led TC with 7 kills, Brittany Peterson had 6.  Sina Mauga had three blocks, Peterson two. 

Taft 3, Butte 1 (25-13, 22-25, 25-16, 26-24) 
Kills: Cantere 15, Peterson 15.  Blocks: Peterson 7, Mauga 4, Madison Lawley 3.  Digs: Jordyn Grissom 29, Cantaere 13.  Assists: Yama 23. 

Taft 3, Solano 1 (25-20, 25-15, 23-25, 25-12) 
Kills: Cantere 24, Peterson 11.  Blocks: Peterson 5, Mauga 2.  Digs: Cantere 18, Grissom 16.  Assists: Yama 34. 

Gavilan 3, TC 2 (22-25, 25-16, 25-23, 16-25, 15-11) 
Kills: Cantere 21, Peterson 11, Mauga 9.  Blocks: Peterson 3, Mauga 3.  Digs: Grissom 19, Cantere 14.  Assists: Yama 41.