Roadrunners Defeat El Camino for First Time in Program History

The College of the Desert Beach Volleyball team continued its record-setting 2026 campaign on Friday, defeating El Camino College 4–1 for the first time in program history.

With the victory, the Roadrunners improved to 8–9 overall and 2–2 in South Coast Conference play, while the Warriors dropped to 5–10 overall and 1–3 in conference.

Friday's contest also marked COD's final home match of the season. The Roadrunners traditionally front-load their home schedule to avoid the intense Coachella Valley heat that arrives in late March and April. Despite the rising temperatures, fans in attendance were rewarded with a historic win in some of the warmest conditions the team has faced this season.

The Roadrunners will now finish the regular season with six consecutive road matches, culminating in the South Coast Conference Pairs Prelims at Long Beach City College on April 17–18.

Battles on the Back Courts

The most competitive matches came in the middle and lower half of the lineup, where the No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5 pairs battled in tightly contested sets.

At No. 3, freshmen Sara Hanley (Xavier College Prep – Palm Desert) and Nadia Malone (La Quinta H.S.) were pushed to a decisive third set. The duo opened strong with a 21–13 first-set win, but El Camino responded with a 21–16 second-set victory. Under the harsh desert sun, with sand temperatures climbing well into triple digits, Hanley and Malone regrouped and pulled away in the final set to secure the match 15–8.

At No. 4, freshmen Leslie Delgado (Coachella Valley H.S. – Thermal) and Amber Kardol (Palm Desert H.S.) delivered a gritty performance, winning a tightly contested straight-set match 21–18, 21–19.

At No. 5, freshmen Addison Curtis (La Quinta H.S.) and Isabella Rosales (Shadow Hills H.S. – Indio) battled hard but fell in close sets 23–21, 21–19.

Roadrunners Control the Top Courts

COD dominated the top of the lineup.

At No. 1, sophomore Clairie Thomas (La Quinta H.S.) and freshman Juliette Rothe (Xavier College Prep - Palm Desert) earned a convincing straight-set win 21–12, 21–10.

At No. 2, sophomore Jacqueline Leon (La Quinta H.S.) and freshman Sophia Kalepp (Palm Desert H.S.) cruised to victory 21–6, 21–14.

Up Next

The Roadrunners hit the road next week for a pair of matches at Rosie's Dog Beach in Long Beach on March 20, where they will face the Rio Hondo Roadrunners of Whittier (2–6, 0–3) and the Los Angeles Harbor Seahawks club team.

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For additional information, please contact the COD Sports Information Office at 760.423.6641.

Information & Story provided by COD Sports Information. Photo by Darbie Catalfamo Photography.