STOCKTON – No. 8 state-ranked College of San Mateo could stake claim to having the toughest schedule in the state to open the 2023 season. All seven of the Bulldogs' opponents have been rated among the 3C2A's top-25.
The early-season test for CSM continued over the weekend at the San Joaquin Delta College Classic. The event started well for the Bulldogs on Thursday as they swept No. 25 Sacramento City College 25-17, 25-19, 25-20. But the momentum didn't carry over as San Mateo suffered a 3-1 (25-12, 25-20, 24-26, 25-18) loss to No. 10 Fresno City College.
After a break in action on Friday, the tourney continued on Saturday with CSM falling to No. 3 Sierra College for the second time this season by a 3-0 margin (25-19, 25-23, 25-16). And in the finale, the Bulldogs couldn't close out a 2-1 lead and fell in five sets to No. 24 Cabrillo College (21-25, 25-22, 18-25, 25-20, 15-8).
In the victory over Sacramento City, Olivia Cooper and Madison Low both totaled 10 kills each to lead the Bulldogs. Alexa Renta posted 16 digs and Emeli Muagututi had 21 assists.
Aniyah Hall did all she could to keep CSM in the match against Fresno. Hall led her squad with a season-high 14 kills.
San Mateo dropped to 2-5 overall. The Bulldogs will have over a week to reset and return to action on Sep. 20 when they host Hartnell College and Shasta College in a pair of non-conference matches.
Cabrillo