TAFT, CA- On Wednesday, September 27, Taft College Women's Volleyball challenged Merced College in the Al Baldock Cougar Sports Center. The Cougars started strong and determined, however, they fell short, as Merced took all three sets (23-25, 23-25, 19-25). Taft is now 3-1 in conference play.

"It's always hard losing at home in front of your friends and family, but I think that in order to win you also need to learn how to lose. No one likes losing but I truly think that this game was a good reality check and wake up call for us. It really exposed all of the things we need to work on as a team, both physically and mentally. And from this point on, we will be working ten times harder than we already were, because I know that this team has the potential to make it very far," said sophomore libero Kailee Wakatake.

The team had time to reflect after the game and put in the work at their next practice to prepare for their next match.

Taft will be on the road Friday, September 29th, to challenge West Hills Coalinga College, at Coalinga.