College of the Redwoods Athletics – From left to right, Nora Talty, Mayleah Jackson and Addison Wingate.

It was a good start to their college careers for a pair of former Arcata Tigers on Thursday, as the College of the Redwoods women tipped off the new season in basketball.

CR traveled to Napa Valley and won comfortably 61-47.

Three former Tigers led the team in scoring, including two players making their college debuts.

Mayleah Jackson finished with 15 points and three rebounds in the win, while fellow freshman Addison Wingate added 11 points and four rebounds.

Sophomore guard Nora Talty, a 2024 Arcata High graduate, also impressed in the season opener and finished with a team-leading 15 points and eight rebounds as she looks set for a big winter on the court.

Talty also had two steals.

Another sophomore guard, Itzel Torres, also had a good all-around game and chipped in nine points five steals and four rebounds.

After struggling with numbers a year ago, this year’s CR team has a sizable roster of 14, including 11 former H-DNL players.

Napa was playing its fourth game of the year and dropped to 2-2.

The Redwoods volleyball team also was in action this week, traveling to Shasta on Wednesday.

The CR women started strong but would lose in four sets, 17-25, 25-16, 25-11, 25-23.

“We came out hot and won the first set,” CR head coach Macy Thomas said. “It was so nice for the girls to see what they’re capable of, playing cool, calm and collected, while being intense and making great plays.”

The home team, however, would grow into the game.

“Shasta definitely stepped up their game the next two sets, and we struggled to find the groove we had in the first set,” Thomas added. 

The CR women responded to the challenge with a much stronger fourth set and had an opportunity to win it with a late 23-20 advantage.

But the Knights would close out strong and scored five straight points to take the win.

“Our team feels proud of our effort and growth, but still determined to not cut ourselves short in those moments,” Thomas said. 

With the loss, Redwoods dropped to 0-6 in conference and 3-15 overall.

Shasta improved to 5-2 and 9-15.

Things won’t get any easier for the CR women when they play at Feather River on Friday.

Powerhouse Feather River is the No. 1 team in the state.