By James Hernandez 

Year two of the Chris Vergnaud era got underway this past weekend as the 2019 Southern Nevada Volleyball team opened up the 2019 campaign by hosting the annual CSN Lady Coyote Volleyball Classic August 22-24 from the CSN Sports Center in North las Vegas, Nevada. 

A festive and boisterous near capacity crowd packed the CSN Sports Center in anticipation of  the Lady Coyotes capturing the programs first home opening victory in its existence. Standing in the way of that goal were the  Saint Johns River Community College Vikings.

The Vikings and Coyotes alternated points early in  the opening set until some clutch defense and play around the net allowed CSN to surge ahead to a 15-8 advantage. Southern Nevada controlled the tempo of the set as they cruised to an impressive (25-14) opening set win. SJRCC came out with a sense of urgency to begin set two, scoring seven of the sets first nine point to open up a (2-7) five point advantage over CSN. 

Southern Nevada rallied to take a 11-10 lead midway through the set, but was outscored 10-2 down the stretch as the Vikings evened the match with a (18-25) victory in set two. Both sides put forth  tremendous effort in a competitive set three, however it was the Lady Coyotes play around the net that allowed them to claim the third set (25-21) and put themselves on the brink of a match victory. Set four was a back and forth affair that saw CSN make up a four point deficit to claim the match 3 sets to 1 (25-14, 18-25, 25-21, 25-20)  and claim the programs first ever season-opening victory.

Match standouts for the Lady Coyotes included Olivia Curtis with a match best 22 kills, Makayla Snyder (6 aces) and Laityn Sarna (39 assists, 19 digs). 

A confident group of Lady Coyotes entered Saturday's match versus the East Los Angeles College Huskies eyeing a 2-0 start to 2019.

Southern Nevada wasted little time asserting its dominance around the net, dominating the play in the opening set en route to a (25-18) opening set victory. ELAC took advantage of some sloppy play by CSN two hang around in a back and forth set two, eventually outlasting the Lady Coyotes to claim a nail-biting (25-27) second set to even the match at one set apiece.

CSN refocused its effort in set three, putting forth a great all-around effort to post an impressive (25-16) third set win. Leading two sets to one and smelling blood in the water, the Lady Coyotes used its all-around skills to best the Huskies (25-16) in the fourth set and improve to 2-0 on the season with a 3 sets to 1 (25-18, 25-27, 25-16, 25-18) victory versus ELAC.

Match standouts for the Lady Coyotes included Makayla Snyder (8 aces, 12 digs) Olivia Curtis (13 kills) and Laityn Sarna (28 assists, 2 blocks). 

Day two of the CSN Lady Coyote Volleyball Classic concluded with the host Lady Coyotes battling the Mesa Community College Thunderbirds in a matchup of undefeated teams.

The Thunderbirds used the formula of air-tight defense and stellar play around the net to cruise to a two sets to zero advantage with identical (12-25, 12-25) thirteen point victories in sets one and two of the match for Mesa. Southern Nevada did its best to regroup in set three with a valiant effort, but unfortunately it was not enough to best Mesa as the Thunderbirds cruised to a straight sets (12-25, 12-25, 15-25) victory over tournament host Southern Nevada.

Match standouts for the Lady Coyotes included Taurie Magee (2 blocks) Olivia Curtis (9 kills) Laityn Sarna (15 assists) and Makayla Snyder (14 digs, 1 ace). 

The final day of the Lady Coyote Volleyball Classic featured host Southern Nevada in a rematch versus the East Los Angeles College Huskies.

CSN was eager to erase the memory of its first setback of the 2019 season, and the Lady Coyotes wasted little time asserting their dominance over the Huskies. A well-rounded effort in set one lead them to a (25-14) opening set victory. Set two was another stellar effort from Southern Nevada on both sides of the ball en route to a (25-16) second set win.

The Lady Coyotes used the third set to close the show in style, cruising to a dominant straight sets (25-14, 25-16, 25-13) victory to improve to 3-1 on the year.

Match standouts for the Lady Coyotes included Taurie Magee (10 kills, 2 blocks) Tylee Fuller ( 9 aces) Laityn Sarna (15 assists) Makayla Snyder (9 digs).
 
Fans your Lady Coyotes will be  in the Grand Canyon State August 30-31 to participate in the 2019 Yavapai Volleyball Tournament. For upcoming opponents, match times and live updates all weekend log onto www.csncoyotes.com or follow us on Facebook CSNCoyotes and Twitter @CSN_Vball.