OAKLAND — The volleyball team broke its four-game losing streak at Laney College after playing the Eagles in four tense sets on Oct. 8.
The Comets (3-6 overall, 1-3 in the Bay Valley Conference) lost control of the game during the second set, but shattered the 1-1 deadlock entering the third set.
During the second set, the audience erupted with noise as the Eagles began to gain control of the game. The Comet defense was momentarily in disarray.
“We hit a little slump,” CCC coach Zachary Shrieve said.
CCC defeated the Eagles (1-7 overall, 0-3 BVC) 3-1, to gain its first conference victory of the 2014 season 25-14, 16-25, 25-14 and 25-21.
Crafty and timely ball placement was the dominant factor for the Comet offensive onslaught.
CCC came out strong and set the tone by quickly scoring. The team’s communication on defense also stitched any gaps in positioning to beat Laney 25-14 at the end of the first set.
The Eagles failed to respond to the Comet offensive surge throughout the game and committed errors on which CCC capitalized.
The quality of the Comet offensive plays, however, had become extremely sloppy from the previous set.
CCC’s errors led to Laney winning the set 25-16 by capitalizing on the Comet players discombobulated defensive positioning. The Comets, however, proved they have a short-term memory when they came back with a vengeance to beat the Eagles in the third set 25-14.
CCC’s left back Vanessa Vargas said, “We didn’t get mad. We just focused on getting our points instead of who’s making (errors).”
Vargas and outside hitter Rachelle Cuevas supported the defense with 17 digs each.
The Comets regained their composure and went on to defeat the Eagles by executing offensively and covering defensively.
CCC’s outside hitter Kailey Walker said, “Coach told us before the game that we came here to play for two hours and that’s what we did.”
Walker recorded 17 kills and setter Richelle Ledesma distributed 23 assists.
Walker said the Comets showed resilience and guts for not wanting to settle for another loss.
The fourth set was a nail bitter. CCC remained composed under the frustrated, yet determined, Laney offensive rebuttal with some brilliant offensive plays.
CCC began to cede points as the home crowd chanted, “Lets go Eagles.” The closer Laney brought the score to 25, the louder the chant grew.
A few Eagle errors early on, however, allowed the Comets to take a quick lead and hold it to win the fourth set 25-21.
The Comets are scheduled to host third place Los Medanos College in the Gym on Wednesday.