Harold Goldstein
The Pierce College Brahmas cooked the Bakersfield College Renegades 3 games to 0 in their third Western State Conference Southern Division game last Friday.Like tigers in a coliseum, Pierce and Bakersfield were at each other’s necks in the first game.In the beginning half, both teams played a game of tag with the scoreboard as one point after another was gained from both sides. After taking a couple of timeouts. Bakersfield had gained an upper lead but was pulled down by the Brahma’s vigor with Pierce winning 30-23. Bakersfield somewhat lagged in the beginning of the second game with Pierce gaining a 3-point lead. Halfway through, Bakersfield pushed on with their offensive gaining some points on the scoreboard. Ashley Lugo-Brown, #8 and Middle Blocker/Hitter on the Brahmas, shined in the second half of the game as she raced through the court with tough defense to win the second game with 30-19 in Pierce’s favor. Pierce dominated the third game with great strength and speed by help from Savannah Thomas, #27 and Outside/Opposite Hitter on the Brahmas, while Bakersfield struggled to keep up. Pierce defeated Bakersfield and won the match with the final score being 30-18. Though Pierce had played hard and won, Nabil Mardini, head coach of the Pierce Brahmas, had recognized Bakersfield and how they played through the game. “I have a lot of respect for Bakersfield,” Mardini said. “Very good team and very well coached.” On the other hand, Carl Ferreira, head coach of the Bakersfield Renegades, had differing views on the overall match and his team. “I thought L.A. Pierce is very quick, very explosive,” Ferreira said. “I thought we executed very poorly. We gave effort but this sport’s about execution.” Terry Soltani, #27 and Setter for the Brahmas, felt positively toward her opponents and how they played. “I have no doubt in my mind that (Bakersfield) are an amazing team,” Soltani said. “I guess they just had an off night. Being very pleased with how the game turned out, Mardini felt that the team was at the top of their game but needed some improvement. “I think, offensively, we’re a lot better than when we were ten days ago,” Mardini said. “We’re improving every week.” Pierce will be playing Glendale College Tuesday, October 23 at 7 pm.