COD (6-8; 3-1) opened up their final home stand of 2021 with a win over a team they had not faced since 2003, defeating the Barstow Vikings (0-4; 0-4), 3-0 (25-12, 25-10, 25-14).

The Roadrunners have not played Barstow in Women's Volleyball since the Vikings suspended their program in 2003. Since 1976, the Roadrunners have a 22-1 all-time record against Barstow, including a 13-1 record in the Coachella Valley.

Tonight's match was a lopsided one to begin with, as Desert jumped out to an early lead and did not look back.

Early in set one, the match was tied 3-3, but the Roadrunners used a 5-0 run to extend that lead and that would be the last time the match was close. In the middle of the first set, Desert would use a 6-0 run, bolstered by four straight service aces to further extended their lead and then the Roadrunners would close out the first set with a 6-0 run, that included four more service aces.

Set two was much of the same as the Roadrunners came out of the break and hit three straight service aces, setting the tone for the rest of the match. Desert would use runs of 4-0 and 6-0 late, to put the set out of reach.

Set three was a mirror image of set one, as the Roadrunners would use 6-0 and 5-0 runs early to put some distance between them and the pursuing Vikings. A 5-0 run late would seal the victory for the home side, seeing one of their larger crowds since fans were allowed to return to campus on October 1st.

Freshman setter Kianna Diaz (Palm Desert H.S.) led the team with 17 set assists and grabbing 4 service aces and freshman outside hitter Kaila Sandy (La Quinta H.S.) led the team with 17 kills, collecting 5 service aces and 7 digs.

Freshman middle blocker Katie Alexander (Yucca Valley H.S.) led the team with 6 service aces and 1 solo block and sophomore libero Dakota Hansen (Myrtle Beach, SC) led the team with 13 digs and had 2 service aces.

Freshman defensive specialist Jaliana Davidson (Rancho Mirage H.S.) had 7 set assists and freshman opposite Lila Cowdell (Herriman, UT) had 4 digs, 2 kills and 2 service aces. Freshman middle blocker Caitlin Bilhartz (Bowling Green, MO) had 2 kills.

The Roadrunners are home for the next three matches, beginning on October 22nd with the Cerro Coso Coyotes. Since 1977, Desert has an 27-5 all-time record versus the Coyotes, with a 15-3 record in the Coachella Valley. The last time Desert lost to Cerro Coso was in 1997.

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Information, Story & Photo provided by COD Sports Information.