With just six players on the team roster, freshmen Jada Dias and Kaimana Botelho-Patoc have carried the offense this season for the Taft College women's volleyball team. On Wednesday, Dias totaled season-highs of 25 kills and 28 digs to help lead the Cougars to an impressive five-set victory over visiting Merced College.
After dropping the first two sets, Taft completed an amazing comeback by winning out the final three to stun the Blue Devils. Set scores were 21-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-22, 15-12 as the Cougars took their final home match.
Keys to the victory included 145 digs on defense by TC and well as 13 aces.
Botelho-Patoc also had a big night, posting 19 kills and 28 digs. Kayla Iwata totaled 47 assists, 3 aces, and 20 digs while Morgan Pulido had 27 digs.
Taft enters its regular-season finale on Friday (Nov. 12) with a 12-8 overall record and 12-3 mark in the highly-competitive Central Valley Conference. The Cougars play at College of the Sequoias to close out the CVC schedule.