Canyons Opens With Sweep at L.A. Mission

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director 

SYLMAR, Calif. — College of the Canyons served up 14 aces and All-American middle-blocker Grace Ferguson ended the match with nine kills and a combined six blocks as the Cougars rolled to a 3-0 (25-7, 25-20, 25-15) victory over host L.A. Mission College to open the 2019 campaign.

Ferguson's 16 points (nine kills, three aces, two blocks and four block assists) led Canyons and helped set the tone for what proved to be a convincing opening night win.

COC freshman Bree Kelley ended her night with eight kills while sophomore Madison Martinez added six of her own to help lead the attack.

Sophomore Ricki Patenaude made her biggest contribution from the service line with three aces to go with two kills and four digs. Freshman Kyra Titner also got involved in the action with five kills.

Elizabeth Gannon led the team with eight digs and four aces from the libero position, and setter Sydney Higginson helped keep things moving along with 25 assists, two aces and seven digs. 

With an early win under its belt Canyons will now prep for a meeting with perennial powerhouse Irvine Valley College at 5 p.m. on Friday.

The Cougars and Lasers have met in the regular season every year dating back to 2014, with IVC holding a 3-2 advantage in those meetings. COC recorded back-to-back victories vs. the Lasers in 2015 and 2016.

Canyons and IVC also squared off in the semifinal round of the 2017 CCCAA State Championship tourney. In that meeting the Lasers held off a tough Cougar squad by a 3-2 (25-19, 13-25, 28-26, 23-25, 16-14) final score en route to an eventual state championship.

Stay up to date on all this season's action by following the College of the Canyons Athletic department on social media at @COCathletics on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.