COD (2-4) hosted the inaugural Roadrunners Tri and made quick work of the Imperial Valley Arabs (0-2) and then struggled in the night cap against the Long Beach City Vikings (2-0) as the Roadrunners split the pair on a rainy afternoon.

The Roadrunner's first game in program history against the Imperial Valley Arabs was back in 1976. Since that year, Desert has 26-14 all-time record against the Arabs, including a 10-7 record in the Coachella Valley.

Desert jumped out to an early lead in set one and coasted to an easy win, but had to hold on in sets two and three for the match victory, taking the game 25-7, 25-17 and 25-17.

Freshman right side Sarah Nieto (La Quinta H.S.) had 5 kills and 3 service aces and freshman outside hitter Bella Branconier (Palm Desert Xavier College Prep) led the team with 6 kills and had 5 digs. Freshman middle blocker Stacie Alexander (Yucca Valley H.S.) had 5 kills and an assist block and freshman middle blocker Ashlin Kretz (Rancho Mirage H.S.) had 4 kills and a solo block. Sophomore outside hitter Melanie Hernandez (Thermal Coachella Valley) had 3 kills and 5 digs and freshman outside hitter Arianna Hernandez (Thermal Desert Mirage) had 3 kills and a solo block. Freshman defensive specialist Sophia Gilbert (Palm Desert H.S.) had 3 service aces and freshman setter Ashley Estrada (Queen Creek (AZ) American Leadership Academy) led the team with 24 assists, grabbing 5 digs and an assist block. Sophomore defensive specialist Liana Whitley (Palm Desert H.S.) had 2 service aces and 8 digs and freshman right side Vivianna Hernandez (Thermal Desert Mirage) had 2 service aces. Sophomore libero Briana Delval (Indio H.S.) led the team with 10 digs.

In game two of the afternoon, a rain storm hit the Palm Desert area. The game against Long Beach City had to change it court orientation in order to stay dry and finish the match.

The Roadrunner's first game in program history against the Long Beach City Vikings was just last season in 2022.

Branconier led the team with 6 kills and had 7 digs and Nieto led the team with 2 service aces, had 3 kills and 7 digs. Hernandez had 2 kills, 5 digs and an assist block and Estrada led the team with 13 assists, grabbing an assist block. Delval led the team with 13 digs.

For the Roadrunner's next contest, they will travel to the Riverside City Tigers on September 5th. Since 1984, Desert has a 9-9 all-time record versus the Tigers, with an 3-3 record in Riverside. The next home game for Desert is on Friday, September 29, where the Roadrunners will host their IEAC Conference home opener against the Cerro Coso Coyotes of Ridgecrest. Since 1977, Desert has a 29-5 all-time record versus the Coyotes, with a 16-3 record in Palm Desert.

Follow COD Athletics on Twitter @COD_Athletics Instagram @COD_Athletics or Facebook @College of the Desert Athletics

For additional information, please contact the COD Sports Information Office at 760.423.6641.

Information, Photos & Story provided by COD Sports Information.