2023 Season in Review - COD Women’s Volleyball

Under eight-year head coach Detlev Rothe, Desert finished the regular season with a record 11-14 overall and 7-5 in conference. The Roadrunners placed 3rd in the Inland Empire Athletic Conference (IEAC).

The complete list of Inland Empire Athletic Conference honorees can be found HERE 

Volleyball collected some notable firsts in 2023 as they had their first win over Fullerton in program history and played Miramar for the first time since 2018 also concluding in a win for the Roadrunners. They played Long Beach for the second time in program history, and competed with Moorpark and San Diego Mesa for the first time since 2008.

Freshman middle blocker Stacie Alexander (Yucca Valley H.S.) was named First Team All-IEAC, finishing first in conference for solo blocks (13), total blocks (33), and blocks per set (.82). Alexander also took 3rd in blocking assists (20) for the conference. She is the only middle blocker to receive First Team All-IEAC for the 2023 season. She set personal season highs against Victor Valley earning 22 kills against the Rams, and a .600 hitting percentage in her game against Copper Mountain. Alexander was named College of the Desert athlete of the month for the month of November.

Sophomore libero Briana Delval (Indio H.S.) was named Second Team All-IEAC, finishing the season second in the conference in digs (257) and second in service aces per set (0.69). Delval also had the fourth best digs per set average in the conference (3.29). She played and started in 78 of the total 82 matches that the Roadrunners played this season. She played her best game of the season against Victor Valley with 5 service aces, and 20 digs. Delval also earned Second Team All-IEAC her freshman season with the Roadrunners.

Sophomore outside hitter Melanie Hernandez (Thermal Coachella Valley) was named Honorable Mention All-IEAC, finishing fifth in conference for service aces per set (.53). Hernandez was also second on the team in kills (138), and second on the team in digs (149). The 5-foot 8 Sophomore hit a season high of .462 against Victor Valley with 14 kills and 19 digs. She played and started in 80 of the total 82 matches that the Roadrunners played this season. Hernandez also received Honorable Mention All-IEAC her freshman season as well.

Freshman setter Ashley Estrada (Queen Creek (AZ) American Leadership Academy) was also named Honorable Mention All-IEAC, finishing the season by leading the Conference in assists per set (6.89). The 5-foot 9 freshman had 14 matches with 20 or more assists and 7 matches with 10 or more digs. Estrada's best game of 2023 was an impressive performance in a 3-1 win over San Diego Miramar at the OCC Tournament, where she had 41 set assists, 2 kills, and 10 digs.

Freshman outside hitter Bella Branconier (Palm Desert Xavier College Prep) was named Honorable Mention All-IEAC, finishing fifth in the conference in kills (209). She was also first on the team in total points earned for the season (233.5), and first on the team for points per set (3.1). The 5-foot 9 freshman played her best game against San Diego Miramar with a season high of 19 kills on 35 total attempts. Branconier also received athlete of the month for the month of August, 2023.

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

Information & Photos provided by COD Sports Information. Story by Bella Branconier.