COD (15-3; 3-2) played an incredibly entertaining and hard fought game against the #15 team in the state the MiraCosta Spartans of Oceanside (15-2; 5-0), but the home side fell, 3-2 (29-27, 25-27, 25-20, 20-25 & 15-12). 

The atmosphere was incredible in the Roadrunners Gym at the Garrow Athletic Quad, as two behemoths in Pacific Coast Athletic Conference play went head-to-head for the first time in 2018.

It had been 34 years since Desert defeated the Spartans, which was back in the days when both teams were in the now defunct "Desert Conference." And with the Roadrunners best team in over a decade, this year was as good as any, to squelch any old curses and punch holes in any negative streaks. Especially against a MiraCosta team which, coming into tonight's game, had won 26 straight matches in PCAC play, a streak stretching back to 2015.

Sophomore setter Ashtyn Lyneis (Palm Springs H.S.) led the team with a career high 48 assists, led the team by tying a career high with 6 service aces and led the team with 23 digs.

Sophomore middle blocker Nicole Svoboda (La Quinta H.S.) led the team with 3 solo blocks, tied for the team lead with 2 assist blocks, had 2 service aces and had 7 kills.

Sophomore outside hitter Baylie Dashner (La Quinta H.S.) led the team by tying a season high with 19 kills and freshman outside hitter Kelsey Smith (Delta, BC South Delta Secondary) had 8 kills, had 2 service aces and had 16 digs.

Sophomore middle blocker Mckenzie Bartlett (Redmond, OR Ridgeview) had 13 kills and a solo block and freshman opposite Kendal Campbell (White Rock, BC Semiahmoo Secondary) tied for the team lead with 2 assist blocks and had 11 digs.

Sophomore libero Emily Sundback (Rancho Mirage H.S.) had 21 digs and sophomore defensive specialist Brooke Topliff (Rancho Mirage H.S.) had 4 service aces.

The next game for Desert is on the road, when they continue Pacific Coast Athletic Conference play, traveling to the Palomar Comets of San Marcos on Friday, October 19, game starts at 5 p.m. The next home game for Desert is 7 days away, when they host the Mt. San Jacinto Eagles on Wednesday, October 24, game starts at 5 p.m.

Follow COD Athletics on Twitter @COD_Athletics Instagram @COD_Athletics or Facebook @College of the Desert Athletics

For additional information, please contact the COD Sports Information Office at 760.423.6641.

Information, Photo & Story provided by COD Sports Information.