COD (10-8; 3-1) had a momentary hiccup in the first set, then quickly regained their composure and easily pushed past the Cerro Coso Coyotes of Ridgecrest, 3-1 (11-25, 25-20, 25-14, 25-19).

In set one, Cerro Coso proved to be not so gracious guests, as they quickly jumped on the Roadrunners, 4-0. Both teams went back-and-forth as Desert got back to within one, 9-8, then the Coyotes went on a run, rattling off four straight points, building a 13-8 lead and forcing the Roadrunners to call their first time out. The Cerro Coso run would continue for two more points, then Desert rebounded, only to have the Coyotes roll out another two more points before the Roadrunners called their second and final time out of the set with Cerro Coso leading, 17-9. The Coyotes would go on an 8-2 run to wrap up the first set, stunning the home crowd.

In set two, Desert ran out to an early lead and the Coyotes kept it close, eventually the Roadrunners would hold a 9-6 lead, then Cerro Coso went on a 5-0 run to take an 11-9 lead. Desert would roar back, eventually tying the set at 15-15 amidst a 6-0 run of their own, forcing the Coyotes to burn a time out with the set tied. The Roadrunners would build a 19-15 lead and close out the win on a 5-0 run to take set two 25-20.

In set three, the Roadrunners dominated, forcing Cerro Coso to take a time out with Desert up, 16-8. The Roadrunners would take set three, 25-14.

In set four, Desert used runs of four, six and seven to take set four, 25-19.

Freshman middle blocker Alex Salinas (Palm Springs H.S.) had 8 kills, 2 service aces and 1 solo block and freshman setter Judy Figueroa (Indio Shadow Hills) led the team with 37 assists and had 19 digs.

Freshman outside hitter Emillie Griffith (Yucca Valley H.S.) tied for the team with 2 block assists and had 8 kills and sophomore middle blocker Aaliyah Muhammad (Los Angeles Westchester) led the team with 2 solo blocks and tied the team with 2 block assists.

Freshman libero Dakota Hansen (Myrtle Beach, SC) led the team with 23 digs.

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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).