Taft Volleyball Builds on Championship Memories With Historic Ranking
Taft College volleyball is adding a new milestone to its championship story. The Cougars have reached their highest 3CWVCA 2026 ranking at No. 5 and stand No. 3 in the Northern Region, connecting a proud postseason tradition with the promise of another strong season. With a 15-2 overall record, this group is building toward a goal that reaches beyond rankings: advancing past the State Elite and into the final four.
The 2025 Central Valley championship and State Elite appearance belong among the program’s defining achievements. A conference title marked one milestone; a place among the state’s final eight marked another. Those accomplishments now serve as the foundation for the returning group, which aims to carry that momentum further rather than simply repeat the same finish. For the Cougars, championship memories are both a source of pride and a standard for the season ahead.
The latest conference highlight came with a sweep of Porterville to open CVC South play. That victory extended a conference-only winning streak to 10 matches, a run stretching back to 2024. The sweep links the current team to the sustained conference success behind its championship identity, adding another achievement to a stretch that has spanned multiple seasons.
An accomplished returning group gives that pursuit substance. First-team all-conference honoree and MVP Jazzahlei has continued that standout form, earning State Player of the Week No. 5 recognition this season. Vienna Perier returns with all-region and first-team all-conference honors. Ku'uleimokihana Manaois , Shylah Pulu-Valdez and Havi Valdez bring second-team all-conference recognition, while Teihanni Tafisi and Railye-Marie Makainai-Kon earned honorable mention. Together, those individual achievements underscore the experience behind the Cougars’ current success.
The final-four ambition also carries a connection to one of the program’s historic moments. Returning head coach Kanoe Bandy reached that stage in 2004, giving today’s pursuit a link to an earlier generation of Cougar volleyball. The current team’s highest ranking, conference winning streak and championship foundation have created a new chapter worth celebrating. Its next postseason objective is clear: move beyond the Elite and return the Cougars to the final four.
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