Skeele's big night leads Cougars to 3-1 win over Columbia

Keala Skeele
Keala Skeele

Taft College sophomore Keala Skeele slammed home a match-high 13 kills to help lead the Cougars to a 3-1 Central Valley Conference win at Columbia College on Monday.

The 25-16, 25-15, 18-25, 25-22 victory improved Taft to 8-18 overall and 6-8 in conference play. With two matches to play, the Cougars currently sit in fifth place in the CVC standings.

Skeele had a big night for the Cougars as she hit an impressive .407 for the match. She tied a season-high with six blocks and added 12 digs.

Taylor Tuliloa was outstanding on both sides of the ball, directing the offense with 32 assists while also collecting a team-best 27 digs. She added five kills and two blocks.

Lauren Pau-De Santos also played well for the Taft, totaling 21 digs to go with nine kills. Other standouts for Taft included Jasmine Chipen-li with 10 digs and five kills, Madison Barcelona with five kills, six digs, and two blocks, and Christy Hopfe with 11 digs.

Taft returns to action on Nov. 13 when it plays the first of its final two matches of the season at home. The Cougars host Merced College next Wednesday and close the season next Friday (Nov. 15) against West Hills College Lemoore. Both matches are scheduled for 6 p.m. starts.