Karina Gonzalez
With a deep, resounding “HOOOUAHH!” the current Brahmas kicked off Saturday’s volleyball game against alumni who played in the same gym as long as 22 years ago. Testosterone filled the air, but the mood was light, and the atmosphere, friendly.
Many of the alumni wore their old team jerseys or state championship t-shirts, and high-fives reverberated through the gym after every point. The four-hour event was organized in tournament format. Alternating on two courts, alumni were divided into three teams, and current Brahmas formed two.
Throughout the tournament heats, one team on the alumni side remained undefeated-that team, it so happens, featured Head Coach Eddie Stanislawski and Assistant Coach Beau Daniels, both of whom played on the 2000 state championship team.
Nabil Mardini, head coach of the women’s volleyball team, also played on the dominant alumni team, performing special moves at the request of girls in the bleachers.
In the last hour, the highest scoring teams from both sides squared off in a final, best two-out-of-three match. According to Stanislawski, alumni usually win these annual games, and this one turned out to be no different.
The first round brought with it a 30-25 loss for the current team. In the second, the alumni scarcely managed to finish off the Brahmas with a 30-29 win.
However quick the defeat, though, no one seemed disappointed in the end.
Teammates caught up on each other’s lives over sandwiches, and past champions got a chance to meet the ones who are filling their shoes this season.
Also in attendance, to many players’ delight, was Ken “Big Daddy” Stanley, who initially started men’s volleyball at Pierce College and coached from 1964 to 1997. “He was responsible for the dynasty here,” said Stanislawski.
According to Jose Salinas, who played for the 2002 and 2003 state championship teams, the event was organized mainly through word of mouth.
Some alumni said they found out through text messages, others through MySpace.com, phone calls or e-mails. “It’s always nice to come back and see everybody,” continued Salinas, who played on the winning alumni team that evening, “Most of my teammates were here tonight.”
While Saturday’s game did not affect the team’s standing, tonight’s will carry a bit more weight.
In the Brahmas’ league, which reaches south to Long Beach and north to Santa Barbara, the Brahmas currently find themselves in a three-way tie.
“We’re doing well. We have a big game with Santa Monica… which is going to determine whether we take first, second or third [in conference].
But we’re making play-offs no matter what,” explained Stanislawski. Tonight’s game against Santa Monica College will be at 7 in the South Gym.
From left to right, Tommy Butler and Ryan Duncan, current men’s volleyball players, defend against Pierce women’s volleyball team head coach Nabil Mardini and alumni Carlos Solis. The alumni team won the tournament 30-29. (Jared P. Meyer)
Current men’s volleyball player Terry Gallbreath (left to right) defends against an attack by Pierce College women’s volleyball team head coach Nabil Mardini while alumni Carlos Solis assists Mardini during the alumni game Saturday. (Jared P. Meyer)