NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The College of Southern Nevada women's volleyball team needed every bit of five sets Saturday afternoon, but the Lady Coyotes delivered when it mattered most, holding off a determined Yavapai College comeback to earn a dramatic 25-16, 25-15, 23-25, 18-25, 15-11 victory at the Coyote Event Center.
After cruising to a straight-set victory Friday night, Southern Nevada appeared headed toward another sweep before the Roughriders stormed back to force a deciding fifth set. The Lady Coyotes regrouped in the final frame, securing their second victory over Yavapai in less than 24 hours and completing a weekend sweep of the ACCAC series.
The victory improved CSN to 10-8 overall and 4-3 in conference play, marking the Lady Coyotes' third consecutive ACCAC win. Yavapai fell to 8-10 overall and 1-8 in conference competition.
Freshman Tayla Singleton delivered a commanding offensive performance, leading all players with 26 kills on 59 attacks while hitting .356. Singleton also collected 10 digs and two block assists, finishing with a match-high 27 points.
Mia Scott provided another strong offensive performance, recording 19 kills and four service aces while adding six digs. The duo combined for 45 of Southern Nevada's 69 kills, providing the offensive firepower needed to withstand Yavapai's second-half surge.
Southern Nevada established control early, taking the opening set 25-16 behind 15 kills and a .217 hitting percentage. The Lady Coyotes were even more impressive in the second, committing just one attack error while recording 15 kills on 24 attempts for a blistering .583 hitting percentage. CSN cruised to a 25-15 victory and appeared firmly in command with a two-set advantage.
Yavapai, however, refused to go quietly.
The Roughriders found their offensive rhythm in the third set, hitting .250 and edging Southern Nevada 25-23 to extend the match. Yavapai carried that momentum into the fourth, limiting its attack errors to just one while hitting .258 and claiming a 25-18 victory to force a decisive fifth set.
With the match hanging in the balance, Southern Nevada rediscovered its offensive efficiency. The Lady Coyotes recorded nine kills and hit .300 in the final set, outlasting the Roughriders 15-11 to secure the victory.
De'Lasia Grider delivered one of CSN's most efficient performances, recording eight kills with just one error on 16 attacks for an impressive .438 hitting percentage. Grider also contributed a solo block and two block assists, while Briley Fawson added eight kills and a solo block.
Setter Libbie Ferreiro orchestrated the Southern Nevada offense with 56 assists, helping the Lady Coyotes finish with 69 kills and a .253 hitting percentage. Ferreiro also recorded 12 digs, three kills and a service ace.
Defensively, Isabella Liugalua led CSN with 14 digs, followed by Kody Wengler with 13 and Ferreiro with 12. Singleton added 10 digs, giving the Lady Coyotes four players in double figures as Southern Nevada finished with 75 digs.
Yavapai was led by Mackenzie Strader, who finished with 18 kills, while Keyara Haywood added nine kills and three solo blocks. Despite the Roughriders' comeback effort, Southern Nevada held a decisive 69-43 advantage in kills and outhit Yavapai .253 to .146.
The weekend sweep gives the Lady Coyotes four victories in their last five ACCAC matches as they continue to build momentum heading into the second half of the conference schedule.
Southern Nevada will remain at home for its next three matches at the Coyote Event Center. The Lady Coyotes will host Mesa Community College in a nonconference matchup Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m., before returning to ACCAC action against Central Arizona College on Friday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. The two teams will meet again Saturday, Oct. 17, at 1 p.m.
