Modesto, Ca - For only the second time this season, the Pirates went to 5 sets. Cosumnes River, whose only conference win was against MJC on 9/15, was on a mission. They came into the match with high energy and focus in this nail biter, back and forth battle.
Freshman outside hitter Denae Finney and libero Angel Nguyen had career making nights. Finney lead the offense with a career best, and team season best, 19 kills. Finney also turned in her first double/double on the season contributing 18 digs. Nguyen was a defensive beast, setting what could be a new school record in digs. Nguyen turned in 40 digs, which is not only her best performance for her career, but is a new Pirate record in the rally scoring era (stats only available since 2000). Setter Camrynn Loveall had her third double/double of the season with 18 assists and 11 digs. Middle blocker Taryq Mims added to the offense with a career best 4 aces.
Set one, the Hawks took a large early lead from which the Pirates could never bounce back. The Hawks went up 14-4 behind some tough serving. Pirates couldn't get their offense going, hitting negative (-.111). Hawks would take the set 25-11.
Set two went back and forth till the Pirates pushed ahead with a 4-0 run behind the serving of Sara Gonzalez, pushing the Pirates up 19-14. The battle went back to point for point. Pirates looked like they were going to take the set as they had set point 24-19. But the Hawks weren't going down that easy. They fought off 5 set points with a 6-0 run to pull ahead, 25-24. The Pirates got their composure back after a timeout called by coach Moser and won the set 28-26. Finney had her best set and lead the offense with 6 kills.
Set three was the same story for the Pirates as set one. Struggling offensively, the Pirates dropped the set 14-25.
The fourth looked almost as a thirdpeat for the Pirates, as the Hawks jumped ahead 10-3. Middle Blocker Alexis Rios came back to the service line for the Pirates and turned the tides. The Pirates went on a 11-1 scoring run, with help from outside hitter Shaye Spani stepping up offensively, with 5 kills. The Pirates took the set, 25-18.
Set five did not disappoint the fans. Point for point battle, neither team scoring more than 3 points in a row. The Hawks had the chance to win it all at 14-13 but dropped the match committing 3 hitting errors. The Pirates win 17-15.
Up next: Pirates set sail to Sacramento for Big 8 Conference play against the Sac City Panthers, 10/25/17, 6:30pm.