Modesto, Ca
Pirates maybe 0-6 to begin Big 8 Conference play (8-11 overall), but that does not mean they aren't a top team in the North. Pirates return to the CCCAA State Rankings, for week 6, at NorCal #15 (tied with fellow Big 8 member Cosumnes River).
The Big 8 has seven of the top teams in NorCal (Delta #2, American River #4, Folsom Lake #8, Sierra #9, Santa Rosa #13, Cosumnes River and MJC tied #15, and Sac City "Best of the Rest"). Each night the Pirates have faced a higher seeded opponent and put up great scores pushing most teams to extra sets. Out of the six matches, three have gone five sets, one in four sets, and the Pirates only losing in three sets to #2 and #5 in State.
Despite their record, the Pirates have some top players in the conference. Sophomore setter Lanai Torres (Orestimba HS) leads the conference in assists (174) and is 2nd in assists/set (8.29). Freshman defensive specialist Isabel Nunez (Gregori HS) is 2nd in service aces (13) and 6th in digs (92). Sophomore middle blocker Mikayla Kaufhardt is 3rd in total blocks (23). Sophomore outside hitter Elizabeth Johnson leads the Pirates and is 7th in league in total kills (51).
Pirates look to change the tides this week with a pair of home matches:
10/12 vs Sac City 6:30pm
10/14 vs Diablo Valley 6:30pm