Melissa Kendall
The women’s volleyball team went undefeated in the 23rd Annual San Diego Mesa Invitational, which took place Sept. 19 and 20.
Sixteen teams competed in the tournament, one from Arizona and the rest from all over California. The Brahmas, currently ranked number one in the state, were one of the teams favored in the tournament.
Head coach Nabil Mardini felt confident that the Brahmas were prepared for the tournament, and is happy with the results.
“Defensively we were digging more balls,” said Mardini. “Setting was good. Blocking was great.”
In the first game of the tournament, the Brahmas faced Riverside, winning the first set, 25-16; the second set, 25-10; and the third set, 25-15. In the second and final game of the day, the Brahmas faced College of the Canyons, wining the first set, 25-22; the second set, 25-21; and the last set, 25-18.
“The first day it seemed like we were playing down to Riverside’s level,” Mardini said. “Once we played College of the Canyons, we picked up the intensity and we played together. It’s what I wanted to see.”
On the second day of the tournament, the Brahmas faced El Camino College. They are currently ranked number one in the state, and proved to be the most challenging team. The Brahmas previously lost to El Camino College in the finals of this tournament last year, and were again defeated by them in a match on Sept.13 of this year.
The Brahmas lost the first set, 22-25, but they came back to win the second set 25-16.
Terry Soltani, setter, felt that winning the second set was a turning point and that it set the precedence for the rest of the day.
“It was a pretty harsh win,” she said. “It was really nice to defeat the people who killed us before.”
The Brahmas won the third set 25-15; and in the fourth set came from behind to win 26-24.
Kami Ward, opposite and team captain, said that the win was due to better communication and good blocking.
“The last time we played them we were neck and neck, like the first and last sets on Saturday, but I definitely think that them beating us lit a fire beneath us,” Ward said. “We stayed disciplined.”
In the final game, the Brahmas faced Glendale Arizona, winning the first set, 25-13; the second set, 25-20; and the third set, 25-13.
Vanessa Murray, opposite, leads the team this season with 141 kills and 19 aces and was named the most valuable player of the tournament. Ashley Clark, Lisa Sonnenblick and Terry Soltani made first team, which is given to the best 12 players of the tournament.
The Brahmas next game is this Friday, Oct.3 at home against Ventura College at 7 p.m.