Michelle Verne
The Pierce College men’s volleyball team is at a current 3-2 standing with a goal to win the state championship.
First year head coach Eddie Stanislawski hopes to lead them there.
Since Long Beach City College went undefeated and took the state championship last season, they are still the ones to beat.
“They are going to be a threat to us,” said Stanislawski.
“Every game accomplished is a battle. Our conference is really tough and to come out on top of that conference is quite a goal,” said Kyle Luongo, fourth-semester Pierce student and captain of the team.
“From top to bottom, every team can knock each other off the top. Naturally, Long Beach is the team that you want to beat because they won last year.”
Luongo, a returning setter who started playing volleyball in the eighth grade for fun and began taking it seriously as a high school sophomore, believes the team can achieve their goal.
“I want to win. Overall as a team I think every game we go out there I just want for us to continue to grow together and I think we are.”
With 19 players, eight of them veterans, the team has many challenges to face.
“Whether on or off the court, we’re all starting to become more of a cohesive unit, which I think is something that besides state I would really want us to strive for,” said Luongo.
His preparation for the game matches his inspiration.
“I like to physically get prepared, get loose, sweat a little and be ready for the game. In my position you move a lot so I don’t want to be tight,” he said.
“I also like to watch films so I can study myself, study blockers and what they do so I can exploit them.”
Although a state championship win might seem hard to predict at this point, Stanislawski is confident in the team’s chances.
“Pierce has a tradition of being good. I think we are tied for the most-winning junior college in the state,” he said.
The past has proven that Pierce carries a strong team, but they are aware of the challenges that lie ahead.
“We can’t overlook anyone. We need to take care of business each and every time we go out to play,” said Stanislawski.
Pierce and Long Beach will have their first face-off at the anticipated home game March 14.
All home games are free and begin at 7 p.m. To view this season’s schedule, visit the Pierce Web site at www.piercecollege.edu.
From left to right (Kiyomi Kikuchi)