The Bakersfield College women’s volleyball team has five players listed in major statistical categories, ranked 25th or higher.
The Renegades are led by 6-foot sophomore outside hitter Reisa Fessler from Liberty High School. Fessler has compiled a stat line that includes the following: 79 games played, 330 kills, .353 kill percentage and a 4.18 kills per game average. She also managed 81 blocks with a 1.03 block per game average. Fessler is ranked fourth in the state in kills per game and 16th in the state in blocks per game.
BC coach Carl Ferreira talked about the Western State Conference kills leader.
“She has great offensive range and versatility. She’s just a relentless player,” said Ferreira. “Reisa is playing a new position for the first time in her career, and I must say she has played beyond expectations.”
Some of the players on the team had thoughts on Fessler and what she brought to the team. Chelsea Rose talked about how important Fessler is to the team.
“Reisa is a very talented athlete, and she’s just grown into such a smart player,” said Rose. “We know we can always depend on her when we need it most.”
Fessler has signed her letter of intent to Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho, and plans to continue her playing career at NNU with a two-year scholarship.
Fessler attributes her success to her teammates and her coaches along the way. She said that practice and just going out there and playing so many games is how she accomplished what she has.
“My teammates really put me in position to accomplish it all. I couldn’t get kills without them. It starts with a pass, then a set, and then the kill,” said Fessler.
“I’m nothing without them. They are the ones who got me there.”
Fessler talked about maturing throughout her career and how that impacted her play this season.
“It has a lot to do with understanding the game, and that just comes with maturity and doing the work for as long as I’ve been playing,” said Fessler.
“Minimizing my errors along the way was also a key to success.”
Chelsea Rose is another stat leader on the Renegade volleyball team.
Rose is a 5-foot-7-inch setter from Liberty. She is what several players and coach Ferreira call the “emotional leader” of the team. Rose is ranked number one in the state in set assists per game. Rose averaged 11.88 assists per contest and in 76 games compiled 903 assists.
Teammates spoke about Rose and what she has meant to the team and a consensus thoughts were, she is an amazing leader, and they can always count on her when they need her in late-game situations.
Brookey Holmes talked about how Rose was an inspiration to the team, and what she brings to the team.
“She is the heart of our team, and she’s the inspirational leader. Without her, we wouldn’t be able to come this far,” said Holmes.
Ferreira talked about the team captain and mentioned how influential she has been to her teammates.
“Chelsea is so purpose driven; when she plays you can tell she’s passionate,” said Ferreira. “She is a gifted communicator, persistent, a great leader, and she makes her teammates better.”
As for the next step for Rose, she is undecided on what four-year university she wants to transfer to. She has looked into some schools but is waiting to take a trip to the NNU campus and see what the school has to offer.
Rose admits Fessler has a lot to do with her final decision because Fessler has signed to NNU already, and the two have been teammates since high school.
Sarah Kurfess is also a top-ranked player for the Renegades. Kurfess, a 5-5 sophomore, played her high school volleyball at Stockdale High School and is the Renegades’ libero.
Kurfess is ranked second in the state in digs per game with 6.9. Kurfess has played in 81 games and has 562 digs on the season.
Kurfess is often times overlooked and overshadowed by the offensive players. Rose said Kurfess doesn’t get the credit she deserves.
“It really all starts with Sarah. She’s out here every night battling it out with some of the best, but she manages to keep balls alive and set up our offense,” said Rose.
“Sarah gets overshadowed by some of the other girls, but she just quietly keeps getting the job done and making great plays.”
Ferreira spoke about how Kurfess is the strong point of the team and how she holds the team together with her play.
“Sarah is a dominating ball-control player, and she is the stable rock that teammates can stand on as they develop their game,” said Ferreira. “She has a tremendously high volleyball IQ, and she is our quiet leader, without a doubt.”
Kurfess is another Renegade player with an undecided future. She has aspirations of playing at a four-year school but is unsure of where she wants to play.
Corissa Alvarez is a defensive-minded middle blocker, that teammates call the “defensive stopper.” Alvarez is a 5-10 sophomore from West High School, ranked right behind Fessler in blocks at 17th.
Alvarez talked about her determination and what goes through her mind during a block.
“I just watch the players set up and envision making the block,” said Alvarez.
“All I see is block, block, block and defend, defend, defend.” Alvarez played in 76 games and had 77 blocks for an average of 1.01 blocks per game.
Ferreira talked about Alvarez’s defense and how she affects her teammates.
“Corissa is the stopper at the net; she is strong willed and brings toughness and relentlessness. She just thrives on challenges,” said Ferreira.
“She’s quite the athlete and a tremendous worker.”
Rose said the team lacked communication at the beginning of the season but greatly improved throughout the season thanks to Alvarez’s patience.
“Starting off this season, me and Corissa had a lot of trouble connecting, but it’s just so exciting to see the growth we’ve accomplished through the year,” said Ferreira.
“It’s all done from being in practice and working hard every day. She is just a terrific player to be around, and I’m glad to have her on the team.”
Alvarez plans on extending her playing career and has hopes of attending The Masters College in Santa Clarita, although nothing is set for sure as of now.
Holmes is the last of the top-ranked players. Holmes is a 5-8 sophomore outside hitter from Centennial High School. Holmes is ranked 19th in kills per game with an average of 3.57. Holmes has played in 79 games and recorded 282 kills with a kill percentage of .237.
Ferreira talked about the Holmes and what she brings to the team.
“Brookey is a high octane player, she has a terminating explosive arm swing and great offensive range,” said Ferreira.
“She never ever gives in to a situation. She pours her heart into everything she does.”
Teammates call her the cannon because of her strong finish. Rose talked about the physicality Holmes brings to the team.
“When I think about Brookey, I think hide your face. Brookey is one of the most physical hard-hitting players I have ever been around,” said Rose.
“She just has an arm swing unlike anyone I’ve ever met.”
Holmes has hopes of playing at the next level and has informed several universities of her interest but has not yet decided on where she might transfer.
Ferreira spoke about the characteristics of these players and how they have made an impact on each other and the rest of their teammates.
“They all bring love,?passion, respect, honesty, communication, appreciation and gratitude to the team,” said Ferreira.
“It’s one tremendous effort from them that has given us these?accomplishments as a team.”