Taft Volleyball Sweeps Columbia 3-0 on Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night

TAFT, Calif. - Taft College swept Columbia College 3-0 in volleyball Wednesday, October 28, winning 25-15, 25-10, 25-10 at home. The match marked Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Players honored faculty and staff members with T-shirts as the announcer read each player's name, jersey number and tributes to the people they recognized.

The Cougars increased their kill total in each set, opening with 12 before recording 13 in the second and 15 in the third. Taft finished with 40 kills and seven attack errors on 80 attempts for a .412 hitting percentage, while Columbia managed 10 kills and hit .043. The Cougars also collected nine service aces, 40 digs, six solo blocks and seven block assists. Lydia Keele led Columbia with seven kills.

Vienna Perier and Jadalynn Satele paced Taft with nine kills apiece. Perier added nine assists, six digs, three solo blocks and one block assist, while Satele contributed one solo block and one block assist. Their appreciation tributes highlighted support beyond the court: Perier recognized Leigh Golling for substantial athletic and academic support, and Satele thanked Lori Travis for welcoming energy and the laughs shared during class.

Jazzahlei Satele supplied eight kills and a team-high 11 digs, along with one solo block and one block assist. Satele honored Lori Murphy for a caring nature and consistent support of students and student-athletes. Shylah Pulu-Havi Valdez finished with seven kills without an attack error on 11 attempts, hitting .636 while adding one solo block and three block assists. Pulu-Havi Valdez recognized coach Lyle Martin for a “get it done” attitude and ability to lighten the mood, as well as Johnny and Jeannene Garcia for their hospitality and the feeling of having a family away from home.

Railye-Marie Makainai-Kon directed the offense with 16 assists and served three aces. She honored faculty member Michelle Oja for support and guidance. Natalia Strömsdörfer-Meza delivered four aces and recognized retired faculty member Chris Chung for caring and exhibiting the light of Christ, along with faculty member Nathan Cahoon for creating work that benefits students and being a caring instructor. Teihanni Tafisi added 10 digs and six assists. She thanked Shelly Nicholson for inspiring hard work and showing kindness, Victor Romero for always offering help with a smile and coach Romeo Lagmay for positivity, humor, support and bringing lumpia.

Ku'uleimokihana Manaois contributed four kills without an error on seven attempts, hitting .571, and served two aces. She recognized Adrian Barajas of campus security for caring about athletes and checking on their safety. Havi Valdez added three kills and honored faculty member Salvador Murgia for using humor while helping students understand course material. Inara Chin Lee recorded seven assists and two digs. She recognized Kenny Schulyer for workplace mentorship and attending every home match, and Renee Ginther for support that helped her get through calculus.

Taylor Clevenger also participated in the appreciation recognition, honoring faculty members Adam Bledsoe and Tina Mendoza. She thanked Bledsoe for taking extra time to help and Mendoza for providing valuable assistance. The Cougars play next at Reedley College on Friday, October 30.