The volleyball team took a step backward on Wednesday, managing to score double digit points in the first set before eventually losing 3-0 to the College of Marin (3-10 overall and 3-3 in the Bay Valley Conference) in the Gymnasium.

Before its game on Oct. 7 against third place Yuba College, Contra Costa College (0-6 overall and 0-6 in the BVC) started to show signs of improvement.

The Mariner squad only had two more players than the Comets, who have the minimum of six, but the ability to substitute even momentarily, left the home team with a familiar problem — fatigue.

“After playing the top three teams in the BVC in our last five games, we were drained,” Comet setter Paula Sanchez (three spikes, two kills) said. “Some of our players are still pretty new and have not adjusted to playing on this level yet.”

The Comets have another shot to get into the win column tonight against the College of Alameda, which is coming off a three-game winning streak, in the Gymnasium at 6 p.m.

CCC kept its pace early on in the first set to knot the score at 5-5, but Marin surged.

The Mariners scored four unanswered points, forcing CCC coach Christy Tianero to call an early timeout.

Shortly after play resumed the Comets were seemingly discouraged by the Mariners’ productive offense and fell victim to another run. This time, Marin pushed the score to 17-6. 

Former Comet outside hitter, now Mainer Kailey Walker (12 points, eight service aces) finished off the scoring outburst for Marin with a service ace. The Mariners took the first set 25-11.

Marin struck first in the second set but Comet right hitter Amy Palomares (two points, four spikes) along with Sanchez combined to tie the game 1-1. Competition was fierce throughout most of the second set.

CCC trailed by only three points shortly before the midway point of the second set when the score was 11-8.

From that moment on the CCC momentum was shattered and the Mariners began to sense an inevitable win on the horizon. The visitors poured on the points, fueled by the Comets’ dissolving vitality.

“There are only six of us so when we get tired there isn’t really much that we can do,” Comet outside hitter Deanna Craighead said.

Along with having no substitutions, CCC’s coaches said having just a couple more players would also provide opportunities for productive competition for playing time.

The Comets only scored one more point in the second set and the Mariners eventually won it 25-9.

Marin played the third set with a smile. They cheered after every point and amplified the hurrahs as the points piled up.

“It felt bad in a way especially with everything the team is going through,” Walker said “We were 2-10 (overall) coming into this game so it wasn’t out of disrespect. We just need to use anything we can to build on and get better as a team.”

A service ace by CCC middle blocker Mariah Marinho (one point, three spikes) cut the Mariner lead to four at 10-6. The point sparked a four-point run by Marin that eventually led to CCC calling a timeout in an attempt to break the momentum of play.

From that point the Comets were outscored 9-3, ultimately losing the final set 25-9 and the match 3-0.