Bakersfield Volleyball Sweeps South Awards
Fresh off their fourth straight Western State Conference South Division Championship, the Bakersfield College Volleyball team swept the major awards in the division. Sophomore outside hitter Penelope Zepeda was named the Player of the Year in the conference, while sophomore Jessica Merante was named the Libero of the Year. Head Coach Carl Ferreria meanwhile shared Coach of the Year honors with Glendale College's Yvette Ybarra.
Zepeda was one of the top offensive players in the WSC South, finishing with 3.78 kills per set (4th among all WSC teams), 307 total kills (3rd among all WSC teams), and with a .332 kill percentage (5th among all WSC teams). Zepeda also finished with 250 digs this season, which was the second best mark for the Gades, and with 29 total blocks. Merante meanwhile led the entire WSC in total digs (417) and finished fourth in digs per set (5.15). Merante also accounted for 81 assists and team leading 46 aces, averaging 0.57 aces per set.
Ferreira was named the Coach of the Year for the fourth straight year after leading Bakersfield College to their fourth straight conference title. The Renegades finished the season 21-3 overall and a perfect 12-0 in conference play. Bakersfield would go on to be seeded #7 in the CCCAA SoCal Playoffs, winning their first round meeting with Chaffey College, before eventually falling to #2 San Diego Mesa College in four sets.
Ybarra earned the honors after guiding Glendale to a third place finish in the WSC South finishing 6-6. The Vaqueros finished out the year winnings three of their last four, and four of their last six, to clinch to the top three finish.
