Looking ahead: Comets fall sports playoffs

Comets’ athletics are bound for the postseason. Here’s a quick preview of what’s to come.

Tanner Hayes, Sports Editor

November 19, 2025

(From left to right) Ismael Zavala (#7), Naomi Allen (#24), Emma Bambe (#12). Photos taken by Griselda Garcia and Evan Odom.

After a heated fall season, three Palomar sports teams have progressed to the California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A) playoffs.

The Comet men’s and women’s soccer teams, as well as the women’s volleyball team, qualified for the postseason tournament.

The 3C2A playoffs divide the top teams from northern and southern California into regional brackets, with the winners advancing to the state championship game.

Women’s soccer

Palomar player in black is attempting to push herself away from a MiraCosta player in white as both try to run to gain possession of the soccer ball near the midfield. — Palomar forward Lizzy Cook (#25) gets physical with MiraCosta midfielder Adile Oceguera (#11) as both players attack for the soccer ball near midfield on Nov. 7, 2025 at Minkoff Field. (Evan Odom)

After finishing the season with their best record in over a decade at 11-4-5 (win-loss-draw), the Comets rank 20th among all California community colleges.

The women’s team is 5-2 in its last seven games, but has lost its past two despite not allowing more than one goal per game during the seven-game span. The Comets will need to find the goal while maintaining their high-caliber defense to progress in the tournament.

The Comets’ first challenge will be on the road against the thirteenth-ranked Pasadena City Lancers (14-6-2) at 4 p.m. on Nov. 19.

Men’s soccer

10 players in red and black-striped jerseys and one player in a gold jersey stand side by side while they pose for a photo before a soccer match. — The starting lineup for the Palomar Comets’ men’s soccer team is posing for a photo before the match against MiraCosta college on Oct. 3 at Minkoff Field at Palomar College. (Evan Odom)

Palomar’s men’s soccer team ended the season with a record of 11-7-3, five wins better than the previous season, and ranked 18th in the state.

The Comets’ last game of the regular season was a rough 4-3 loss to 2024 state champion, Cuyamaca College. Even though they fell short of the conference championship, the Comets made it to the state playoffs. They will rely on their top-tier offense, led by California’s highest goal scorer, Jakub Kozlowski to climb the bracket.

Palomar’s first match will be an away game against the Fifteenth-ranked Cypress College Chargers (13-3-5) at 1 p.m. on Nov. 19.

Women’s volleyball

(From left to right) Palomar College middle blocker Sierra Shoenwald (#13), setter Caden Pinto (#8), middle blocker Dovie Daniels (#10), and libero Kiana Merril (#3) closing in together after a long volley in the fourth set against Miramar College on Nov. 5 2025 at The Palomar College Dome. — (From left to right) Palomar College middle blocker Sierra Schoenwald (#13), setter Caden Pinto (#8), middle blocker Dovie Daniels (#10) and libero Kiana Merrill (#3) close in together after a long volley in the fourth set against Miramar College on Nov. 5 2025 at The Palomar College Dome. (Evan Odom)

The women’s volleyball team concluded its season with an 18-7 record. In 2024 the team finished with a 19-6 record, but did not make it past the regional stage of the 3C2A tournament.

After winning its final two games of the season, Palomar placed third in the conference, simultaneously besting Grossmont College’s record to secure a spot in the 3C2A tournament. This marks the first time in over 10 years that the Comets’ volleyball program has made the postseason in back-to-back seasons.

The Comets, ranked 23rd in the state will take their momentum on the road to start the tournament, facing off against the eighth-ranked Moorpark College Raiders at 6 p.m. on Nov. 25.

To follow the Comets into the postseason visit the 3C2A website.

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