North Las Vegas, NV – Coyote Event Center, September 11, 2024
In their first home game of the 2024 season, the College of Southern Nevada volleyball team fought hard but came up short against the visiting Arizona Western College Matadors, falling 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-8). Despite a valiant effort from the Coyotes, Arizona Western's experience and firepower proved too much to overcome in this conference opener.
Southern Nevada started the first set with energy, but Arizona Western's steady attack and strong blocking set the tone early. The Matadors controlled the net and capitalized on errors, taking the first set 25-15. Sydney Hall led CSN with 9 kills on 40 attempts, while Jeannie Anderson contributed 5 kills in an otherwise challenging offensive outing for the Coyotes. Southern Nevada had difficulty sustaining momentum throughout the match, evident in their .084 hitting percentage across all three sets.
The second set saw the Coyotes improve slightly, closing the gap and showing flashes of resilience. Margaret Sharkey added 3 kills, but also struggled with consistency, tallying 8 errors. CSN closed within striking distance at 19-16, but Arizona Western's efficient play and minimal mistakes allowed them to pull away and take the set 25-19.
Arizona Western's attack, led by Larrynn Joesph-Rodrigues with 12 kills and a stellar .522 hitting percentage, overwhelmed the Coyotes in the third set. The Matadors' 25-8 win in the final set highlighted their control over the match, as they outpaced the Coyotes both offensively and defensively.
Despite the loss, CSN saw strong individual performances. Freshman setter Kenzy Arafa tallied 23 assists, providing opportunities for the Coyotes to stay competitive. Tia Alofipo and Aleyson Ross showcased defensive grit, combining for 21 digs, while Ross also added 2 kills. However, the Coyotes struggled to find consistency throughout the match, committing 35 attack errors, which limited their ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
With this loss, the Coyotes fall to 0-8 on the season and 0-1 in conference play. Southern Nevada will look to bounce back as they continue their conference campaign, in their next matchup at Coolidge, AZ versus Central Arizona College.
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The Coyotes will aim to secure their first win of the season and build on the lessons learned in their next match on September 13.
