Bulldogs Win Five-Set Thriller to Open 2014 Season

Women's volleyball head coach Julio Molina described his eight-player squad as small in numbers, but huge in volleyball skills. The seventh year head coach was right. The Bulldogs opened the 2014 season with a thrilling five-set win over visiting Taft on Wednesday in Joe White Memorial Gymnasium.

The Bulldogs beat the Cougars 12-25, 26-24, 21-25, 26-24 and 15-12. Hancock improved to 1-0 on the season, while Taft, which went 16-9 last season, dropped to 0-1. 

Sophomore Brianna Farley (Cabrillo High School) led the Bulldogs with 22 kills to go with 17 digs. Gabrielle Lecates, a sophomore middle blocker, threw down 16 kills and recorded 19 digs. Freshman Brittany Bolusan (Lompoc High School) added 14 kills in her Bulldog debut.

Sophomore setter Nikki Friend (Cabrillo) dished out 48 assists along with 21 digs and fired off five service points in the fifth and decisive set. Freshman Marisa Rodriguez (Nipomo High School) added four aces, while freshman Rebecca Davis (Lompoc High School) added 17 digs.  

Hancock, which went just 3-21 last season, plays at Cerro Coso on Saturday at 11 a.m.