The Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) Women's Volleyball team will face one of its biggest early-season challenges when the Lizards travel to Sierra College in Rocklin, California, for a Noon PST matchup. The contest features two regional programs looking to establish themselves—and potentially begin a new rivalry.

For TMCC, every match remains a first. In its inaugural season, the Lizards enter the contest 0-2 and are still in search of their first victory in program history. While the wins have yet to arrive, TMCC head coach Craig Choate is pleased with the progress he has seen from his team through the opening matches.

Building a program from the ground up comes with its own unique set of challenges, and Choate has been encouraged by how his players have responded. The Lizards continue to learn, grow and gain valuable experience with every match. Now, they get another opportunity to put that progress to the test.

Sierra College enters the matchup with an 0-4 record, but the Wolverines have faced stiff competition during the early portion of their season. The records may look similar, but both teams have been tested, making this matchup an intriguing early-season measuring stick.

The contest also carries an extra layer of significance. TMCC competes under the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), while Sierra College competes in the California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A). With the two schools located in the same broader region, Saturday's matchup provides an opportunity for some local bragging rights. It could also be the beginning of something more.

As both programs continue to build their identities, a competitive series between TMCC and Sierra College could develop into a regional rivalry in the years ahead. For a first-year TMCC program, establishing those rivalries is another exciting part of building a lasting volleyball tradition.

On the court, however, the Lizards will have their hands full. Sierra College will hold a significant size advantage based on the two rosters, creating an immediate challenge for TMCC at the net. The Lizards may need to rely on creativity, smart shot selection, defensive positioning and some crafty tactics to counter Sierra's physical presence. For TMCC, the goal is to compete, adapt and continue to improve—and, of course, chase that historic first victory.

The Lizards are still searching for their first win, but they are also building something much bigger: a program. With the team excited for its next challenge and Coach Choate encouraged by the early progress, the trip to Rocklin presents another opportunity to take a meaningful step forward. If TMCC can come away with a victory, it would be more than just a win on the schedule. It would be the first win in program history—and perhaps the first chapter in a new regional rivalry.

Match Details

• Opponent: Sierra College

• Date:  Friday, Sept. 4, 2026

• Time: Noon PST

• Location: Sierra College, Rocklin, CA

• TMCC Record: 0-2

• Sierra College Record: 0-4