Yuma, AZ - The College of Southern Nevada (CSN) Coyote volleyball team faced a challenging opening weekend at the Chapman Automotive Volleyball Invitational, hosted by Arizona Western College at The House Gymnasium in Yuma, Arizona. The Coyotes competed in three matches over two days, fighting hard against strong opponents but ultimately falling in all three contests.

Match 1: Snow College 3, College of Southern Nevada 1 (25-17, 25-20, 19-25, 25-10)

In their first match of the tournament, CSN took on the Snow College Badgers. The Coyotes struggled to find their rhythm early, dropping the first two sets 25-17 and 25-20. However, they bounced back in the third set with a 25-19 victory, showcasing their potential and resilience. Unfortunately, the momentum couldn't carry into the fourth set, where Snow College dominated with a 25-10 win to close out the match.

Dani Robinson led the Coyotes with 7 kills and 2 digs, while Lindsay Pool contributed 12 assists and 3 service aces. Despite the loss, CSN showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in their third-set win, giving fans hope for future matches.
 

Match 2: Western Wyoming Community College 3, College of Southern Nevada 1 (25-16, 15-25, 25-12, 25-23)

The Coyotes' second match of the day saw them up against Western Wyoming Community College. After a tough first set loss at 25-16, CSN roared back to claim the second set 25-15, thanks to a powerful performance from Sydney Hall, who recorded 12 kills, 8 service aces, and 11 digs. 

However, the third set proved difficult for CSN as they struggled to find their footing, dropping it 25-12. The fourth set was a nail-biter, with the Coyotes fighting valiantly to extend the match, but they ultimately fell just short, 25-23. Despite the loss, the match was highlighted by Hall's outstanding all-around play, contributing 20.5 points for her team.

 

Match 3: Cisco College 3, College of Southern Nevada 0 (25-22, 27-25, 25-10)

On the second day of the tournament, CSN faced Cisco College in an early morning match. The Coyotes started strong, pushing Cisco to the brink in the first two sets, which ended 25-22 and 27-25 in favor of Cisco. The Coyotes showed great tenacity, with Margaret Sharkey and Sydney Hall leading the charge with 7 kills each.

However, the third set saw CSN run out of steam, as Cisco capitalized on errors to take the set 25-10 and secure the sweep. Despite the setback, there were positive takeaways for the Coyotes, particularly the aggressive play of Hall and Sharkey, who combined for 14 of CSN's 28 total kills in the match.

 

Looking Forward

While the Coyotes did not secure a win at the Chapman Automotive Volleyball Invitational, the team displayed moments of promise and determination. The young squad will look to build on their experience as they head into the rest of the season, with hopes of turning their hard-fought efforts into victories in the matches to come.

The Coyotes will return to action September 6th at Prescott Arizona competing in the Dalton Overstreet Volleyball Invitational, the Lady Coyotes will be looking to regroup and continue their development as a cohesive unit. With the talent and potential shown this weekend, CSN fans have reason to be optimistic about the future of this team.