The Yuba College 49ers celebrate the victory in their three-set sweep against Mendocino on Oct. 8. Photo by Steven Bryla

LINDA, CA (YSBC) - The gym at Yuba College opened a lot of eyes on Oct. 8 as the 49ers women’s volleyball team swept the Mendocino Eagles (25-15, 25-22, 25-20) in straight sets.

Yuba hosted their second match of the season on Wednesday and as the 49ers warmed up with their “Rise as One” shorts in pregame, the energy around the volleyball program has shifted positively than in years past.

Yuba first-year head coach Kellie Tongson came into the season attempting to change the culture around the program and she has succeeded.

Yuba College freshman Nyla Afato (3) smashes the ball over the net on Oct. 8 in the 49ers’ sweep against Mendocino. Photo by Steven Bryla

The 49ers came out with great energy in the opening set and dominated with quality serving and the aggressive efforts on the 50-50 balls at net.

Yuba has 12 players on the roster and 11 are classified as freshmen, including nine former local high school athletes.

49ers freshman Fatima Cano (Maxwell), expressed to Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports that Tongson made her fall in love with the sport of volleyball again.

“I had no intuition of playing volleyball after my senior season was done,” Cano said. “Kellie changed that perception and I once again fell in love with volleyball again.”

Cano had 11 kills, served four aces and had 10 digs in the win.

Yuba College freshmen JoeyMarie Ward (13) and Nyla Afato (3) attempts to block a shot on Oct. 8 in the 49ers’ victory over Mendocino. Photo by Steven Bryla

Yuba freshman Karizma Faupula, who graduated from East Nicolaus in 2021 told YSBC that she reached out to Tongson in the offseason after she returned from serving a mission and asked for the opportunity to try out for the team.

Faupula’s energy on the court is phenomenal as she is always the first one to hand out a high five after the 49ers score a point. Faupula had two kills, 16 assists and had 10 digs against Mendocino.

Other local area performances included freshman Nyla Afato (Marysville) led Yuba with 13 kills on the night, while freshman Brooklyn Hall (East Nicolaus) protected the middle with 10 kills and a block.

Although the 49ers win moved their record to 3-11 (2-1 Bay Valley Conference), Tongson expressed to YSBC that you can see the change in the program and the demeanor of the girls day-by-day.

Faupula said there were tears and emotions at the beginning, but the grit and hard work over the past couple of months has put this team in a better position to strive.

Yuba College freshman Fatima Cano (10) smacks the ball in the 49ers’ sweep on Oct. 8 against Mendocino. Photo by Steven Bryla

Tongson told YSBC for the future of the program, she expressed to the girls that she is challenging them to be better and they work hard.

“I told them (Yuba) that my goal is to try and find someone to replace them for their spot,” Tongson said.

Yuba defeated Contra Costa Community College on Friday, October in five sets (24-26, 25-20, 31-33, 25-19, 15-7).

The 49ers are scheduled to host the College of Marin tonight at 6 p.m.