Corsairs Lose Win Streak to the Raiders

Despite on-point defense and communication, errors in setting and passes cost the Corsairs their two-game winning streak.

Santa Monica College Corsairs' Beikwaw Yankey winds up to hit the ball past Moorpark College Raiders' Sean Schmutz during the men's volleyball match on Friday, March 17, 2023, at Moorpark College's Gymnasium in Moorpark, Calif. The Corsairs lost 3-1. (Nicholas McCall | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College Corsairs' Javier Castillo and Luis Garzon react to losing a point to the Moorpark College Raiders during the men's volleyball match on Friday, March 17, 2023, at Moorpark College's Gymnasium in Moorpark, Calif. The Corsairs lost 3-1. (Nicholas McCall | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College Corsairs' Kane Schwengel signals, with Enkhtur Tserendavaa on the right, during the men's volleyball match against the Moorpark College Raiders on Friday, March 17, 2023, at Moorpark College's Gymnasium in Moorpark, Calif. The Corsairs lost 3-1. (Nicholas McCall | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College Corsairs Men's Volleyball Head Coach Liran Zamir (right), Lester Ortiz (center), Camden Higbee (left), and Enkhtur Tserendavaa (far left) during the men's volleyball match against the Moorpark College Raiders on Friday, March 17, 2023, at Moorpark College's Gymnasium in Moorpark, Calif. The Corsairs lost 3-1. (Nicholas McCall | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College Corsairs' Nate Davis talks with men's volleyball head coach Liran Zamir during the men's volleyball match against the Moorpark College Raiders on Friday, March 17, 2023, at Moorpark College's Gymnasium in Moorpark, Calif. The Corsairs lost 3-1. (Nicholas McCall | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College Corsairs' Nate Davis hits the ball into the net during the men's volleyball match against the Moorpark College Raiders on Friday, March 17, 2023, at Moorpark College's Gymnasium in Moorpark, Calif. The Corsairs lost 3-1. (Nicholas McCall | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College Corsairs' Nate Davis (right) hits the ball past Moorpark College Raiders' Sean Schmutz (far left) and Ebba Tefera (left) during the men's volleyball match on Friday, March 17, 2023, at Moorpark College's Gymnasium in Moorpark, Calif. The Corsairs lost 3-1. (Nicholas McCall | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College Corsairs' (right-to-left) Kane Schwengel, Nate Davis, and Enkhtur Tserendavaa during the men's volleyball match against the Moorpark College Raiders on Friday, March 17, 2023, at Moorpark College's Gymnasium in Moorpark, Calif. The Corsairs lost 3-1. (Nicholas McCall | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College Corsairs' Nate Davis during the men's volleyball match against the Moorpark College Raiders on Friday, March 17, 2023, at Moorpark College's Gymnasium in Moorpark, Calif. The Corsairs lost 3-1. (Nicholas McCall | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College Corsairs Men's Volleyball Head Coach Liran Zamir rubs Javier Castillo's shoulders during the men's volleyball match against the Moorpark College Raiders on Friday, March 17, 2023, at Moorpark College's Gymnasium in Moorpark, Calif. The Corsairs lost 3-1. (Nicholas McCall | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College Corsairs' Luis Garzon attempts to block an attack from Moorpark College Raiders' Ebba Tefera during the men's volleyball match on Friday, March 17, 2023, at Moorpark College's Gymnasium in Moorpark, Calif. The Corsairs lost 3-1. (Nicholas McCall | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College Corsairs' Kane Schwengel sends the ball past Moorpark College Raiders' Eddy He and Jaxon Rust during the men's volleyball match on Friday, March 17, 2023, at Moorpark College's Gymnasium in Moorpark, Calif. The Corsairs lost 3-1. (Nicholas McCall | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College Corsairs' Javier Castillo, Kane Schwengel, Beikwaw Yankey, and Camden Higbee drop the ball, while Moorpark College Raiders' Eddy He cheers during the men's volleyball match on Friday, March 17, 2023, at Moorpark College's Gymnasium in Moorpark, Calif. The Corsairs lost 3-1. (Nicholas McCall | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College Corsairs' Luis Garzon watches Tylus Williams bump the ball during the men's volleyball match against the Moorpark College Raiders on Friday, March 17, 2023, at Moorpark College's Gymnasium in Moorpark, Calif. The Corsairs lost 3-1. (Nicholas McCall | The Corsair)

The Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsairs men’s volleyball team lost their away game to the Moorpark College Raiders on Friday, March 17.

The first set started off close, with neither team taking a commanding lead. The Corsairs eventually began trailing the Raiders remaining within seven points throughout the set, Ultimately, service and attack errors would prove costly as they lost the first set 25-19.

Both teams frequently exchanged the lead from the start of the second set. The Corsairs’ defense was on display as they repeatedly threw themselves to save balls going out of play. The Corsairs were finally able to pull away from the Raiders halfway through the set. The five-point lead would prove to be just enough as they won the set 25-20.

Similarly to the previous sets, the third set started off close for a couple points. Throughout most of the set the Raiders maintained a lead of at least 10 points. Unlike previous sets, the Corsairs were unable to make a comeback and lost the set 25-13.

The Raiders took the fourth set away from the Corsairs from the very beginning. Despite an attempt at a comeback midway through the set, a strong defensive outing and perfectly placed kills won the Raiders the set 25-17, and the game 3-1.

Head Coach Liran Zamir acknowledged both the good and bad and what could be improved on for the future. Zamir said poor setting was really costly to the team. Outside hitter Nate Davis and libero Tylus Williams were a couple players that stood out to Zamir with their performances.

The Corsairs are now 6-6 on the season, and in fourth place in the Western State Conference (WSC) Northern Division with a 3-2 conference record. Their next game will be an away game against the Antelope Valley College Marauders on Wednesday, March 22 at 6 p.m. Their next home game will be at the Corsair gym on Friday, March 24, against the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros.