The COS Women’s Volleyball team under Head Coach Kim Rix has been quite successful over the recent three years of her tenure. Not only have they had a 28-10 in the most recent two years of her coaching, but COS volleyball is definitely coming together to make some noise as a program.

This year has proven to be a tougher-than-usual pull throughout the season. The Giants were 5-5 heading into this game and were looking to make a big statement with their first league game, especially it being the first of two home games for the week.

I was pleasantly surprised to see not only parents, but students too that were in their seats til the very last set to watch the women take a win in three sets over the Columbia Claim Jumpers (25-11, 25-8, and 25-8). The Giants seemed like they completely overwhelmed the Columbia team, not only on the court but also with their energy on the bench. The Giants were constantly in communication with their teammates as well as messages from the bench

After catching up with head coach Kimberly Rix, when asked how she feels after this first 10-game stretch she stated, “We have definitely been able to find some of our strengths and some of our weaknesses through playing some of this tough competition.”

When asked if there was a message that the team was trying to emphasize this year, Rix’s emphasized “improving every single day. Whether it’s a practice or a scrimmage, if we are playing the best team in the state or the worst in the state… instead of just playing we have to be thinking as well.”

Middle Blocker Yajaira Gahagan (Tulare Union High School) stated that the team wanted to come off “well off and established” in their debut, with an emphasis throughout the games once they were up to not try and play down to the level of their opponent. Gahagan also cited that the offense felt more in sync than ever and they took the game as an opportunity to get in plays that they normally wouldn’t, so she said they hope to continue that confidence in their playing ability

“I just feel like as a team we are a big family and a lot of us are returners so I feel we are a mature group,” said outside hitter Mia Gilcrest (Redwood High School), who had 19 kills against the Claim Jumpers.

The women’s next game will be played Friday at 5 p.m. against the Merced Blue Devils in a league matchup. The Porter Field House is one of the nicer spots to catch an indoor sporting event in the Central Valley, so come out and support your Lady Giants as they look to take a 2-0 record in the Valley Conference this season and a 7-5 record on the year overall.