Canyons Women's Volleyball Returns Aug. 23

By Mari Kneisel/COC Sports Information

College of the Canyons is returning to the Cougar Cage for the 2024 season opener on Friday, Aug. 23 vs. Cerritos College. 

The Cougars are represented by a strong squad of 15, three of which received All-WSC, South Division honors a season ago.

Canyons sophomore Leah Gillie, out of Quartz Hill High School, is set to return after being the lone Cougar to receive All-WSC First-Team honors. Gillie played in 23 matches for Canyons, posting a total of 100 kills and 34 aces, claiming the team high of 187 points. The middle blocker also worked defensively for 31 digs, 24 solo blocks and 58 block assists.

Sophomore libero Presley Golphenee, who attended Saugus Hugh School, was also among those earning All-WSC honors as a freshman. Golphenee was named to the All-WSC, South Second Team after recording a team-high 337 digs and working for a rate of 4.16 digs per set across her 23 matches. She also produced 43 aces.

Also returning for Canyons is sophomore Ana Vasquez, who received Honorable Mention accolades in 2023 season after tallying the most kills for the Cougars. The Verdugo High School grad ended the year with 124 across 64 sets.  

The trio of all-conference selections is joined by three sophomore returners, including outside hitter/defensive specialist Kaitlyn Vazin (Valencia High School), setter Sophia Aranzazu (Paraclete High School) and opposite/middle blocker Celeste Anaya (Highland High School).

Canyons will also welcome eight freshmen to the squad in Savannah Anaya (Highland High School), Rylee Booth (Skyline High School/WA), Anna Chiatovich (Lancaster High School), Adrianna Pakes (El Camino Real Charter), Samantha Linder (West Ranch High School), Madison Andrews (Saugus High School), Cami Colley (Saugus High School), Morgan Dumlao (Hart High School) and Sofia Miranda (Hart High School).

Co-head coaches Lisa Hooper (22nd year) and Clay Timmons (Ninth year) are joined by assistants Cory Nua and Katie Rutecki.

Canyons and Cerritos open the 2024 regular season Friday, Aug. 23 in the Cougar Cage. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m.

COC will play a total of 10 home contests on its home floor, including six WSC, South Division games. 

Conference play begins on the road Wednesday, Oct. 2 at Citrus College with the program's home conference opener coming Friday, Oct. 4 vs. Glendale College.

The Cougars will also make non-conference trips to face Irvine Valley College (Aug. 28), Long Beach City College (Aug. 30), College of the Desert (Sept. 4), San Diego Mesa College (Sept. 6), MiraCosta College (Sept. 7) Grossmont College and El Camino College (Sept. 11) and Santa Barbara City College (Sept. 25).

COC women's volleyball home games will continue to be live streamed to fans free of charge via YouTube on the Cougars Sports Network throughout the 2024 season. Live Stream links will be provided to fans via www.COCathletics.com or via the @COCathletics social media channels.

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 X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

—Photo by Robert Hanashiro/COC Athletics