COD (8-7; 1-0) made some history as they had a clean sweep of the Victor Valley Rams (0-8; 0-1) in a Conference match for the first time since 2008, as the Roadrunners throttled the Rams, 3-0 (25-14, 25-14, 25-17).

Desert opened up their inaugural season in the Inland Empire Athletic Conference (IEAC) in style as they welcomed in a team that has had their number in Conference play since the first time they faced one another in 1976. The Roadrunners have a 17-40 all-time record against Victor Valley, but those fortunes have shifted over the last couple of years, as Desert has won 4 of the last 5 match-ups.

In set one, the Roadrunners jumped out to an early 5-0 lead and then built that lead out to 9-3. Victor Valley would get to within ten points at various times, but Desert would not let the Rams back into the contest and the Roadrunners would take set one, 25-14.

In set two, Victor Valley jumped out to the early lead, going on a 5-1 run, but the Roadrunners came roaring back, rattling off six straight points to take the lead, 7-5. The Rams would tie the game at 7-7, Desert would retake the lead, 9-7 and then Victor Valley would tie the game again at 9-9. Amongst the back-and-forth, Desert would eventually put the game away with a four point streak, quickly followed up by another six point streak, which forced the Rams to take a timeout, with the Roadrunners leading 22-12. Desert would end up winning set two, 25-14.

In set three, the real Desert team arrived in the gym as they punished the Rams with a 15-3 run to start the match, forcing Victor Valley to call a timeout to recalibrate. Apparently, it must have worked, because the Rams would go on a 7-2 run of their own, closing the gap on the home team, 17-10. Undaunted, the Roadrunners just plowed through the match and even though, Victor Valley would go on a four point run at match-point, Desert took the set and the match 25-17.

Sophomore middle blocker Aaliyah Muhammad (Los Angeles Westchester) led the team with 13 kills and 4 service aces, and had 8 digs.

Sophomore right side Kendal Campbell-Faynor (White Rock (BC) Semiahoo Secondary) had 10 digs and tied for the team with 1 block assist and freshman right side Channel De La Paz (Thermal Coachella Valley) led the team with 5 solo blocks and tied for the team with 1 block assist.

Freshman middle blocker Alex Salinas (Palm Springs H.S.) had 2 solo blocks and tied for the team with 1 block assist and freshman setter Judy Figueroa (Indio Shadow Hills) led the team with 20 assists and had 3 service aces.

Freshman libero Dakota Hansen (Myrtle Beach, SC) led the team with 17 digs.

The next game for Desert is on the road, where they will continue Inland Empire Athletic Conference (IEAC) play at the Mt. San Jacinto Eagles on October 18th at 5 p.m. The next home game for the Roadrunners is on Friday, October 25th at 5 p.m., when they continue IEAC play by hosting the Cerro Coso Coyotes of Ridgecrest 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 & Story provided by COD Sports Information. Photo by Michael Leone Photography (f8leone@yahoo.com).