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by James Hernandez

The College of Southern Nevada hosted the first ever Coyote Labor Day Classic volleyball tournament this past weekend. Saddleback College, Phoenix College and the College of Lake County spent the holiday weekend in Vegas competing in some high level collegiate volleyball matches.

CSN got the action started versus the College of Lake County Lancers and out dueled the ladies from the windy city in straight sets (25-9) (25-15) and (25-20). The match victory was only the second in program history, starters Christina Beavers (32 assists), Bailey Bergquist (13 points), and Jo Alvarez-Thompson (10.5 points) were all key to securing the match victory.

CSN's second match of the day would put them up against arguably the best team in the entire tournament, the Phoenix College Bears. The Coyotes came out active and efficient during the first set of the match. Behind six kills from Alvarez-Thompson they were able to outlast the Bears 28-26 and take the first set of the match. Unfortunately Phoenix College would not drop another set the remainder of the weekend and that included the final three straight sets in its match with the Coyotes. The Bears earned the match victory (27-25) (19-25) (16-25) (17-25) and the loss dropped CSN to 2-4 on the season.

Day two of the Labor Day Classic began for the Coyotes with a 10 a.m. match versus the Saddleback Gauchos, who made the trip to Las Vegas from Mission Viejo, California. The Gauchos provided a stern test, but the Coyotes were just a bit sharper when it mattered most. Usual suspects Christina Beavers and Jo Alvarez-Thompson led a balanced attack as CSN secured a straight sets match victory (25-23) (25-23) and (25-17), improving its season record to 3-4 overall.

A rematch from day one of the tournament with the College of Lake County Lancers concluded the weekend's action. The Coyotes went into the final match of the tournament with some extra motivation, hoping to give their head coach Sue Thurman an early birthday present and bring its season record to .500.

The team would be without the services of Hannah Karas, who sat the match out with a jammed thumb she suffered against the Gauchos earlier in the day. Olivia Stet came out on fire as she helped spark the Coyotes offensive effort all match, scoring 13 points and 11 kills.

Christina Beaver was once again an assist machine, on her way to a match high 33. Bailey Bergquist and Jo Alvarez-Thompson combined for 17 kills and libero Courtney Cirella did the job with 16 digs. CSN defeated CLC in straight sets (25-11) (25-17) (25-22) and with the victory evened its season record to 4-4.

The Coyotes will hit the road for the first time this season as they travel to Arizona to participate in the Scottsdale Volleyball Tournament this Friday and Saturday.

For more information on CSN Volleyball and upcoming schedule please log onto www.csncoyotes.com or follow us on Twitter @CSNCoyotes.