In 2013, Coastal Bend College earned a victory over Wharton County Junior College in five sets; but that game was a played as a non Region XIV counting contest. Then in 2014 CBC was awarded a win over Lee College due to the use of an ineligible player by the Rebels. Last night, the Cougars finally captured the program's first Region XIV victory taking a four set thriller over the Pioneers of Wharton County Junior College in front a large, partisan crowd at the Peter S. Marecek Physical Fitness Center and added to their "best-ever" 2018 season.
The first set was a back and forth battle, before the Pioneers took the lead late on two poor Cougar passes 25-21. CBC came roaring back after a line-up change in the second stanza using their serving and stellar defense to thwart the Pioneers and taking set two 25-12. It was more of the same after intermission, as CBC continued to pour on the points taking the set 25-17. The fourth set looked like it would be more of the same, but Pioneers had a little more fight left in them and they scored late to close the gap before a CBC kill found its way through the Pioneer block and to the floor to seal the deal for the Cougars.
The Cougars were led again offensively by freshman, Cameron Del Angel as she knocked down 14 kills and hit a .214. Sophomore, Lindsay Garibay, chipped in seven kills. Del Angel and fellow freshman Sydney Whitaker also took charge of patrolling the net with each stopping three Pioneer shots. Once again, Alyssa Hutcheson was there to pick up the ball when it made its away around the CBC block. "Hutch", who leads Region XIV in total digs and digs per set, scooped up 26 WCJC shots, while Meaghan Gonzalez gobbled up 13; as Cierra Hernandez and Garibay each dug 12.
The win snaps CBC's six match losing skid, but more importantly moves the Cougars (11-9) to 1-2 in Region XIV play. The Columbia and Navy will be back in action on Friday night when they host Victoria College at 6:00 pm. Victoria College recently became a member of Region XIV, but they will not be an official member until the 2019 season. CBC beat the Pirates a few weeks ago in Victoria three sets to one.