Courtesy COC Sports Information

After a record-setting season that saw the Cougars clinch their second consecutive Western State Conference (WSC) title, the College of the Canyons women’s volleyball team is looking to expand on that success.

Head coach Lisa Hooper’s 2014 squad finished the season with an impressive 21-4 record, including an undefeated 10-0 mark in conference play and a school-record 17-match win streak from Sept. 17 through the end of the regular season.

The impressive season turned in by Canyons did not go unnoticed as the Cougars had eight players named to the all-conference squad, highlighted by sophomore standout Serena LeDuff who earned All-State Team honors and was named the WSC Player of the Year for the second straight year.

In addition, Hooper was also named WSC South Coach of the Year for the second time in as many years.

Naturally, expectations for the 2015 season are high!

College of the Canyons has been selected to host the 2015 California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Women’s Volleyball State Championship Tournament being held Dec. 5-6.

As the tourney hosts, Hooper fully expects her team to represent COC on its home floor.

The Cougars will have eight returning sophomores on this year’s team, including Second Team All-Conference honoree Brooke Garelick and WSC Honorable Mention selections Erica Magee and Katie Rutecki.

Garelick played in all 25 matches for the Cougars in 2014, averaging 2.65 kills per set, which ranked second on the team. Her mark of 3.18 digs per set was also ranked third.

Magee appeared in 24 matches and averaged 1.32 kills per set with a hitting percentage of .256, which was third best among players with a minimum of 100 attempts.

Hooper expects Magee to be a force at the net in 2015, after registering .49 blocks per set last year, which ranked her third on the team.

Rutecki who appeared in 21 matches averaged 9.18 assists per set, which ranked her 18th in the state. That mark also helped contribute to the 11.72 team assists per set, which placed COC seventh in the state in that category.

“The returning group of sophomores have handled the off season and the summer well,” said Hooper. “Their leadership has really set a standard for the freshman in demonstrating the level of commitment we expect.”

Hooper also expects major contributions from sophomore outside hitter Alizé Bricot and sophomore defensive specialist Chelsea Corn.

Bricot, who primarily served as a role player on last year’s team, is expected to be a key contributor for the Cougars this season. The sophomore appeared in 20 matches in 2014 and posted a mark of 0.61 aces per set, providing the Cougars with a much-needed late-season spark in several matches down the stretch.

Meanwhile, Corn appeared in 15 matches last season averaging 1.24 digs per set, good for third among the team’s defensive specialists.

“Chelsea is leading a great defensive pack and is a consistent threat at the libero position,” added Hooper.

Canyons will also brings back middle hitter Camari McWright who played as a freshman on the college’s 2013 WSC championship team, before stepping away last year to rehab an injury. In 2013, McWright appeared in all 24 matches and averaged 1.46 kills per set with a .204 hitting percentage. She also led the team in blocks with .69 blocks per set.

“Camari brings back a bit of stability to the group because she already understands what the coaches expect from the team,” said Hooper. “That understanding helps her narrow the bridge between the team and the coaches.”

Hooper and her staff have also brought in some new players to fill other key positions.

Freshman outside hitter Emily Bible (Valencia High School), middle blocker Alexa Hesseldenz (West Ranch High School) and setter Emma Levanen (Granada Hills Charter High School) are among the newcomers expected to make an early impact.

“Bible brings a lot of power and ball control,” Hooper said. “Alexa has the most fun-loving and enthusiastic demeanor on the team, which makes her a great teammate.

“Emma runs a very fast offense and makes great decisions,” added Hooper. “Her location and tempo of sets allows the hitters to be savvy and do what they want with the ball.”

The Cougars’ first test of the season will be at the annual Grossmont College Quad Tournament on Saturday, Aug. 29. Canyons is slated to face El Camino College in the morning opener before squaring off against tourney host Grossmont later that afternoon.

“These game will show our players the caliber of play that is required to be successful at this level,” said Hooper. “I don’t expect us to be quite cohesive yet, but it will show our coaching staff what combination of athletes works best.

“If the results are positive, it could make things both easier and harder for the team,” added Hooper. “Easier because we will have gained confidence and found a winning combination, and harder because it will immediately put a target on our backs.”

Canyons will then return home to host Victor Valley College at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, in the Cougar Cage.