Corsairs Volleyball Bounces Back with Sweep
On March 2, 2018, the Santa Monica College’s Corsairs men’s volleyball team had their ninth game of the season. The Corsairs last played in Santa Barbara, where they were not able to take home a victory. Their latest opponents: Antelope Valley College’s Marauders. The game started promptly at 6 p.m. at the Corsairs home gym - the Pavilion in Santa Monica, California.
The first set consisted of both the Corsairs and Marauders going neck and neck at the scoreboard. Points were scored back and forth by both teams for the entirety of this set, with the Corsairs having the leading scorer for the majority of the time. As Antelope Valley took their last timeout of the set, the crowd was left with a close 28-27 lead for the Corsairs. The crowd cheered in excitement as the first set ended 30-28 in the Corsair’s favor.
The second set began with the ball on the Corsair’s side of the court, resulting in the Marauders making the first point. Both teams consistently made points during the second set, but the Corsairs were ahead by a few points the entire time. Antelope Valley Marauders took their last timeout of the set after the Corsairs made another point, putting them up 19-11. Despite the Marauder’s efforts to catch up, the second set ended in the Corsair’s favor with a score of 25-13.
Hunter Douglas, #21, of SMC, served to begin the third set, leading the Corsairs to their first point of the set. The Corsairs continued to score throughout the beginning of the third set, leaving the Marauders in a hole.
The third set continued with the Marauders shortening their deficit. The score was eventually tied at 14-14, but the Corsairs broke the tie shortly after. The third set ended with Justin Humphrey, #11, of Antelope Valley, serving the ball, which Andrew Dalmada, #5, of SMC, spiked the ball and claimed the winning point, ending the set 25-22.
This win leaves the Corsairs with a 5-4 record. Coach Andrew Meticchechia said,“We have a really great good program here at SMC and these guys work really hard."
The Corsair’s will next play an away game at 6 p.m. on March 16, at El Camino College in Torrance, California.