Playing at home for the second time in two days, and in its Western State Conference opener, the Bakersfield College volleyball team defeated West Los Angeles College 25-10, 25-14, 25-15 on Sept. 28.
Leading the way for BC was Caitlin Bernardin, with 15 kills and eight digs.
The team is now 11-2 on the season.
On Sept. 26 in Bakersfield, the BC squad swept Cuesta College 25-17, 25-12, 25-11 in the first home match since the season opener.
BC head coach Carl Ferreira chimed in on where he feels his team is at this point in the season, while knowing that the Renegades are currently ranked third in the state.
“After preseason, you begin to figure out how you play, how you compete, what your strengths are, and it usually begins to drive how you practice and your preparation,” he said.
“At this time of the year, what we talk about is just two percent, meaning if everybody can get just a little bit better, if you accumulate two percent from everybody, then that’s a lot.
“I’m very impressed with this team, very impressed with their ability to focus on tasks that are required to get a little bit better. We’re ranked third in the state, so that’s just a tribute to how we’ve done, but we also talk about rankings just being someone else’s opinion.”
Marking the third straight week on the road.
The BC team played in three matches at the L.A. Pierce Tournament on Sept. 21-22.
In the first match, the Renegades disposed of Palomar College 25-11, 25-22, 25-16.
The second match against Pasadena College was a tough five-setter, but BC won it as well 25-19, 25-21, 26-28, 19-25, 15-10.
Then in the finals, the Renegades faced off against defending state champion Pierce College for the second straight weekend.
BC lost again but played a tighter match before going down 25-17, 25-18, 19-25, 25-22.
When talking about their second meeting against Pierce, Ferreira mentioned the improvement in BC’s play.
“The first time we played them, we didn’t have a scouting report,” he said.
“This time, we had a scouting report, so we were mentally trying to take away some things from them. So we performed at a higher level than the last time.
“There are still probably some things we left on the table that we could do better.
“I just really appreciate how well we followed the game plan, just focusing on the next opponent in front of us, that kind of a concept.
“We don’t talk about winning and losing as much as we talk about how we perform moment to moment, play by play, and if you do enough good things long enough, then you’ll definitely win.”
Ferreira went on to add, “This team has exceptional team chemistry, it’s a wonderful collection of young ladies that do a great job of just giving to the moment. It truly is a fantastic group.”
Against Santa Barbara City College on Sept. 19, the Renegades defeated their host, 25-14, 25-14, 25-18.
BC will look to avenge their only losses of the season as they face Pierce for a third time on Oct. 3 at Bakersfield.