Controversial call in conference match drops SMC Men’s Volleyball to 4-5

The Santa Monica College Men’s Volleyball team lost 3-2 during their fifth set due to a controversial call at home against the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros last Friday. The two evenly matched teams played an outstanding game with the scores 23-25, 25-21,29-27, 18-25, and 19-21, with the fifth game deciding the match.

The Vaqueros were given the win after Corsair’s sophomore outside hitter, Connor Corgiat, went up for the kill; however the ball was blocked by the Vaqueros, which caused the ball to land out of bounds.

The Corsairs were called for hitting the ball into the net.

The Corsairs came into the match looking strong, but fell short in their first set 23-25.  The SMC offense was led by Charlie Schmittdiel’s explosive serves and attacks, and the Corsairs rallied back to win the next two sets at 25-21 and 29-27.

Schmittdiel led the way with 23 kills and 7 aces.

Sophomore Fabio Calesso had seventeen kills, Conner Corgiat had 15 kills, and Zane McFarlane boasted thirteen digs.

With the match 2-1, the Vaqueros responded by taking the fourth game at 18-25.

In the last and final set, the Corsairs took an early lead 5-3, but the Vaqueros came back to take the lead 10-8.  A kill by Fabio Calesso tied the match at 15-15.

The rally continued until the score was 19-19.

Corsairs Paul Myers missed a key serve that landed out of bounds and gave the Vaqueros match point opportunity. The Vaqueros then won 21-19 when the Corsairs hit the ball into the net.

Assistant Coach Yarive Lerner was very proud of the team effort.  “Those guys have played the best they have all year,” said Lerner.  “The whole team deserves to be acknowledged for their tremendous effort.”

The Corsairs are halfway through the season, holding a record of 4-5. Their next match will be home against El Camino on Wednesday, March 7 at 6 p.m.