COD Beach Volleyball takes two in 1st wins of 2025

COD (2-8) finally broke through, in what seemed like an endless string of bad luck, a light appeared, and the Roadrunners unleashed a season's worth of frustration upon the San Diego Miramar Jets (0-1) and the San Diego City Knights (1-2) at the Jets Jamboree in Mira Mesa.

The Desert 1's team of sophomore Bella Branconier (Palm Desert Xavier College Prep) and sophomore Stacie Alexander (Yucca Valley H.S.) won their opener against the Jets in straight sets (21-18, 21-10), but had to hold on in a three-set thriller to determine the team win over the Knights, eventually taking the game and the match (22-20, 21-23, 15-10). The 2's team of sophomore Alexia Siani-Rader (Palm Desert Xavier College Prep) and freshman Clairie Thomas (La Quinta H.S.) cruised in sweeping both of their matches in straight sets. The 3's team of freshman Zayda Jouan (Palm Desert H.S.) and sophomore Sophia Gilbert (Palm Desert H.S.) split their day, winning their morning match in a close one, that required a third set (21-11, 14-21, 15-3) then falling in 3 in the afternoon match (20-22, 21-17, 15-8). The 4's team of sophomore Itzel Solorio (Twentynine Palms H.S.) and sophomore Savannah Bush (Saint-Lambert (QC) International) dominated in their opener, shooting down the Jets in straight sets (21-8, 21-9), then lost in a heart breaker in 3 to the Knights (14-21, 21-17, 15-12). The 5's team won in walkovers.

The next match-up for the Roadrunners will be at the Pirates Invite in Ventura on Friday, February 28. Desert will face-off with the Mt. San Jacinto Eagles of Menifee (2-2) and the host Ventura Pirates (4-1). The Roadrunners played against Mt. San Jacinto for the first time in program history in 2022 and hold a 2-2 overall record against the Eagles. The most recent time Desert knocked off the Eagles was on March 4, 2023 in Menifee, winning the match 3-2. The Roadrunners played against Ventura for the first time in program history in 2023 and hold an 0-2 overall record against the Pirates. This is the first time Desert has played at Ventura.

The next home match for the Roadrunners will be the beginning of South Coast Conference (SCC) play as Desert hosts the El Camino Warriors of Torrance (3-1) and the Long Beach City Vikings (0-4) on Friday, March 7. The Roadrunners played against El Camino for the first time in program history in 2020 and hold an 0-7 overall record against them. Desert has an 0-1 record against the Warriors in Palm Desert. The Roadrunners played against Long Beach City for the first time in program history in 2019 and hold an 0-7 overall record against them. Desert has an 0-1 record against the Vikings in Palm Desert.

College of the Desert 5 at San Diego Miramar College 0

#1: Bella Branconier / Stacie Alexander (COD) def. Nilly Ads / Abigayle Jerrell (MIRA) 21-18, 21-10
#2: Alexia Siani-Rader / Clairie Thomas (COD) def. Niloo Jorbozeh / Ceara Bustamante (MIRA) 21-18, 21-10
#3: Zayda Jouan / Sophia Gilbert (COD) def. Angie Benitez / Izabella Salvador (MIRA) 21-11, 14-21, 15-3.
#4: Itzel Solorio / Savannah Bush (COD) def. Angelina Sanchez / Viviana Campos (MIRA) 21-8, 21-9
#5: Natalie Fabian / Madyson Duran (COD) wins in a walkover

College of the Desert 3 vs. San Diego City College 2

#1: Bella Branconier / Stacie Alexander (COD) def. Allison Wygal / Cassie Stevens (SDCC) 22-20, 21-23, 15-10
#2: Alexia Siani-Rader / Clairie Thomas (COD) def. Kailey Vecchia / Danna Gallardo (SDCC) 21-10, 21-14
#3: Lauren Eastman / Diana Ramirez (SDCC) def. Zayda Jouan / Sophia Gilbert (COD) 20-22, 21-17, 15-8
#4: Aamori Daniels / Lana Dy (SDCC) def. Itzel Solorio / Savannah Bush (COD) 14-21, 21-17, 15-12.
#5: Natalie Fabian / Brianna Fabian (COD) wins in a walkover

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

Information & Story provided by COD Sports Information. Photo by Darbie Catalfamo Photography.