The Bakersfield College volleyball team has remained hot, winning nine of its last 10 games, and is tied for first place with College of the Canyons at 7-1 in the Western State South Conference.

The Renegades had a six-game winning streak snapped by Citrus on Oct. 23, but then BC won three more games after that.

According to Coach Carl Ferreira, time has been the key to the team’s success.

“The longer you do something, the better you can get at it,” Ferreira said. “The biggest learning curve has come from learning how to compete on game day. Really separating practice from performing. That’s not something that happens automatically.”

The team has been very consistent in getting out to early leads and keeping them. The last three Renegade wins have come in straight sets against College of the Canyons, 25-21, 25-21, 25-20, Glendale College, 25-23, 25-12, 25-9, Santa Monica College, 25-18, 25-22, 25-8.

Edithza Urias totaled 42 kills in the three games, Kenadie Lee-McNeil averaged nearly 40 assists in each game, and Maddie DeMarco nearly 15 digs in each game.

When asked how he will keep his team’s high level of play up, Ferreira said, “If it ain’t broken, break it.” He added, “We are looking for ways to be about one to two percent better day in and day out.”

The Renegades will try to keep the streak going on Nov. 8, when they head to Antelope Valley College to take on the 8-8 Marauders. BC then travels to Citrus for a Nov. 15 match, and then the Renegades return home Nov. 20 to face Canyons in the final conference game of the season.

Regional playoffs are scheduled to start Nov. 26.