The undefeated run to open the 2021 spring season came to an end on Thursday as Taft College suffered a 3-1 loss (25-21, 20-25, 25-16, 25-23) at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo. The defeat came just days after the Cougars were able to outlast Cuesta in five sets in Taft.
On Thursday, Taft won the second set and nearly sent the match to a deciding fifth. But Cuesta was able to hold off the Cougars late and narrowly win 25-23.
Freshman Serenity Feleti led the Cougars on offense, as she totaled a team-best 11 kills to go along with 6 digs and an ace.
Freshman Jada Dias put together another solid match, posting 8 kills, 11 digs, and 2 aces while sophomore Abygail Olejnik added 8 kills, 10 digs, 2 aces, and a solo block.
Sophomore Janae Niutupuivaha was solid at the back line with a team-high 33 digs and freshman Kayla Iwata had 33 assists, 17 digs, and 3 aces.
The Cougars return to action next week when they begin a two-match series with Bakersfield College. Taft plays at BC on Thursday (Mar. 18) at 3 p.m. and hosts the Renegades on Friday (Mar. 19) at 3 p.m. Friday's home match can be live-streamed online at www.team1sports.com/TaftCA.