The College of Alameda volleyball team (4-15 overall, 3-6 in the Bay Valley Conference) defeated host Contra Costa College in straight sets 25-12, 25-19 and 25-19, making it five consecutive defeats for the Comets Friday. 

Slow starts in sets hindered the Comets from sustaining any type of rhythm early on in the contest. In the final set, the Comets would have trouble scoring, again.

Although CCC cut down on the errors in the third set, the Comets made crucial mistakes at the most inopportune times resulting in the straight-set loss.

During the first set the Comets (3-11 overall, 1-8 in the BVC) were unable to play a clean game. Errors occurred in bunches, which gave COA an easy pathway to victory.

The 14 first set errors would contribute to the Cougars’ dominance during early play as well.

Comet coach Zachary Shrieve said they implemented a new defense in just one day of practice, and that it will take some time for the team to adjust. As for the loss, he said, “We ended rallies (in ways) that we wish we didn’t.”

The Cougars took advantage of the Comet defensive lapses with crisp offensive sets and solid defense of their own.

Comet player Micaela Zaragoza-Soto said the team needed to bring its energy up after the first set.
The teams would go back and forth at a rapid pace at times. The Cougars began to make mistakes and CCC took advantage. 

The volleyball team seemed to be a different squad once the second set had begun. “We needed to relax and control our side of the ball to prevent any errors,” Comet outside hitter Rachelle Cuevas said.
The Cougars would slowly but surely begin to gain an offensive groove. 

Due to COA’s height advantage, its squad was able to jump higher above net, striking the ball with such force that CCC’s defense could not corral the volleys.

“If we put a block up and it touches our fingers it will slow the ball down and give our back row a better chance to dig,” Cuevas said.

After a back and forth second set, the Cougars began to pull away with its lethal offense.
The Comets continued to struggle on both sides of the ball for the remainder of the match as they failed to gather any type of rhythm.

The Cougars were able to stuff the Comet offense and then transition to their own offense and score. In the end the Cougars big and powerful offense was too much for the Comets to overcome.

CCC’s next game is tonight at Solano Community College in Fairfield at 6 p.m.