COD Women’s Volleyball sweeps past winless Fighting Cacti, 3-0

COD (13-10; 8-4) ended the 2024 season on a high note, sweeping their final four matches including their 12th sweep of the season, knocking off the Copper Mountain Fighting Cacti of Joshua Tree (0-20; 0-12) 3-0 (25-4, 25-11, 25-3).

The Roadrunners played against Copper Mountain for the first time in program history in 2022 and hold a 6-0 overall record against them after defeating the Fighting Cacti in Joshua Tree on October 16th, 3-0 (25-3, 25-5, 25-2). Desert has a 3-0 record against the Fighting Cacti in Palm Desert.

Freshman defensive specialist Natalie Fabian (Indio H.S.) had an amazing night as she set season highs for kills (3), digs (3) and demolished a school record with 11 service aces in a game. Sophomore defensive specialist Ashley Amidei (Indio Shadow Hills) set a career high with 6 service aces and sophomore outside hitter Bella Branconier (Palm Desert Xavier College Prep) had 3 service aces and 3 kills. Freshman right side Vivian Rodriguez (Thermal Desert Mirage) had a season high 4 kills and freshman middle blocker Alyssia Castro (Palm Desert Xavier College Prep) had 4 kills as well. Freshman outside hitter Clairie Thomas (La Quinta H.S.) also had 4 kills and sophomore outside hitter Alexia Siani-Rader (Palm Desert Xavier College Prep) had 2 service aces and 5 digs. Sophomore middle blocker Stacie Alexander (Yucca Valley H.S.) had 3 digs and sophomore setter Ashley Estrada (Queen Creek (AZ) American Leadership Academy) tied a career high with 3 kills and had 11 set assists. Freshman setter Brianna Fabian (Indio H.S.) had 8 set assists, tying her 2nd best of the season and sophomore libero Sophia Gilbert (Palm Desert H.S.) tied a season high with 2 service aces.

The next match-up for the Roadrunners will Friday, August 22, 2025, hopefully against one of the five teams that Desert has never faced in program history: Santiago Canyon, LA Harbor, El Camino, Santa Ana or Irvine Valley. Or any one of the five teams Desert has not played in over 25 years: Los Angeles City, Taft, Saddleback, Pasadena City or Cypress.

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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 Michael Leone Photography.