(Trinidad, Colo.) – TSJC hosted the first ever SoCo Classic Volleyball tournament at both Scott and Donnelly gyms in Trinidad this past Friday and Saturday. The tournament featured teams from Otero, Lamar, Dodge City, Clarendon, Cisco College, and Adams State JV. TSJC played four matches in the tournament, winning all four, to improve their record to 7-9 on the season.
Trinidad started the tournament off with an easy three-set victory over the junior varsity from Adams State by scores of 25-9, 25-9 and 25-16. Alyssa Suazo and Pricilla Sanchez each had six kills in the contest. Antonia Harrison had five ace serves and Alicia Hall had 14 assists. The second match for the Trojans on Friday was slightly closer, but TSJC still managed to roll past Dodge City in three sets by scores of 25-11, 26-24 and 25-19. Harrison had a great game with nine kills and Briana Gomez knocked down eight blocks.
On Saturday the matches were tougher, going five sets each time. In the morning, the Trojans took on Cisco College out of Texas. The Wranglers forced the Trojans to the limit but TSJC prevailed by scores of 25-15, 20-25, 26-24, 23-25 and 15-7. Hall had 14 kills, 18 assists, four aces and 13 digs to lead the Trojans. Deidra Dimino had 23 digs and Noelle Gallegos picked up five kills and five blocks for Trinidad. The final game of the tournament featured TSJC against Clarendon. The Trojans avenged a five-set loss to the Bulldogs last weekend in Kansas by winning by scores of 23-25, 25-16, 19-25, 25-20 and 15-9. Gomez and Hall each finished the five-set thriller with 14 kills apiece, and Heloisa Niespodzinski recorded eleven kills and four aces.
"The Lady Trojans went to work this weekend," commented Coach Melissa Hardman. "They were relentless with what they wanted and never gave up or gave in. I am really proud of the way they work hard every day on and off the court. 4-0 is not a bad way to start the first SoCo Classic off with!"
TSJC will face ASU JV on Tuesday night at 6 p.m. before heading out on a long run of road games. They will then return to Scott Gym on Tuesday, October 10 for their first home Region IX contest with Otero.