Courtesy COC Sports Information

No. 5 College of the Canyons traveled to No. 22 Bakersfield College on Wednesday and put together a 3-1 (24-26, 25-15, 25-20, 25-16) victory to finish its conference schedule undefeated for the second consecutive year.

Last week, Canyons (22-2, 12-0) clinched its third straight Western State Conference (WSC), South title, the program’s fifth overall.

The Cougars have not dropped a conference match since October 2013.

The 3-1 victory over Bakersfield represented just the second conference match this season in which the Cougars dropped a set. COC also defeated Bakersfield 3-1 on Oct. 23.

On Wednesday, Canyons dropped the opening set to the Renegades, but was able to regroup over the next three sets.

COC sophomore outside hitter Brooke Garelick posted a .500 hitting percentage, while totaling 15 kills and 11 digs for the Cougars.

Canyons freshman outside hitter Emily Bible led the match with 21 kills while hitting .341. Bible also posted 11 digs in the match.

Sophomore libero Chelsea Corn registered a game-high 21 digs, while also adding four aces.

Canyons also received a strong effort from sophomore setter Katie Rutecki who continued her strong season with a match-high 37 assists. Rutecki also added 17 digs and three aces to help COC propel passed Bakersfield and finish the regular season on a high note.

Canyons sits as the fifth ranked team in the state, and third in Southern California, trailing only WSC, North programs L.A. Pierce College and Santa Barbara City College.

The Cougars will now wait to draw their postseason opponent, with the opening round of the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Women’s Volleyball SoCal Regional Playoffs scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Nov. 24.

In addition, COC will host the 2015 CCCAA Women’s Volleyball State Championship tournament, being held Dec. 4-6.