COS net season ends in playoffs
By Rob McCallum

A successful volleyball season at College of the Siskiyous came to an end last Wednesday in the California Junior College playoffs. The Eagles dropped their first round match at Taft 30-28, 30-20, 30-24, in their first playoff appearance since 1998. "It was good for us to get there," coach Tom Powers said. "We did some good things but just weren't able to put it all together." Siskiyous made an eight hour drive to Taft in a matchup of the northernmost and southernmost teams in the Northern California Division. The Cougars, a perennial state power, turned in one of their top performances of the season against No. 13-seeded COS, according to Powers. Trailing 24-16, the Eagles put on a rally that nearly won them Game 1. Freshman setter Anna Kaniaupio stepped to the service line and served nine straight points, including four aces. COS held leads of 25-24 and 28-27 before Taft went on a game-ending three-point run.
"We really had that first game where we wanted it," Powers said. "But they ran those last three off on us, and that was it."
Taft never trailed in a convincing Game 2 win but faced a stiffer challenge in the final stanza. Siskiyous played to a 19-18 lead, but again the Cougars went on a run and won by six points.
"We were there and they'd go on a big run," Powers said. "That's kind of what hurt us through the year."
Powers, also the women's basketball coach, went straight from Taft to San Pablo to join the hoops team at the Comet Classic. Last week marked the sixth week of double duty for the Junior College Hall of Fame coach.
The Eagle volleyball team finished the season at 9-8, a major turnaround from a five-win season in 2004. COS looks to return nine players next season, including four freshmen who earned all-Golden Valley Conference recognition.
"Overall, it was a real good season," Powers said. "We have a lot of freshmen coming back and some good girls coming in. Things look real bright."